Commissioner says he's ready for answers on jail

Red Willow County Commission Chairman Earl McNutt told consultants Monday morning that he's ready for a "yes" or a "no" when it comes to the question of the county building a jail.

McNutt, fellow commissioners Leigh Hoyt and Steve Downer and members of the county's jail task force listened as Gary Bowker of Lakewood, Colo., and Mark Martin of Lincoln outlined the "jail needs assessment study" they are proposing to conduct for the county.

Bowker said the ultimate goal of the study is to help commissioners and tax payers determine what's best: build a jail or continue to transport prisoners to and house them in outside jurisdictions.

McNutt told Bowker and Martin, "We've all got open minds; we haven't made up our minds. I can certainly accept a 'no,' if that's the answer that comes back."

Bowker said the study would define a long-term response to Red Willow County's inmate incarceration needs. "Short-term, you're managing," Bowker said, even with the liability and public safety issues associated with prisoner transport.

Bowker and Martin will analyze population growth trends; demographics; historical arrest trends of the past 10 years; and trends in the criminal court system regarding the number of felonies and misdemeanors committed. Bowker said they will pay particular attention to the largest-growing segment of the prison population -- female offenders.

The study will project inmate population bed needs through 2025.

Red Willow County's average daily and peak jail populations will be factored into the study, as will "inmate profiles" -- "who is in our jail and are we using the facility for the right people," Bowker explained.

Task force member Larry Eisenmenger asked that Bowker and Martin investigate the economic impact a Red Willow County jail would have on the jails that currently house Red Willow County prisoners.

Martin, a Benkelman native and McCook Community College graduate, said Nancy County was in a similar situation, in that it had not had a jail for many years. In that case, he said, he looked at the projected overflow and bed needs of the existing facilities to determine whether they would be able to remain open, or if they might, at some time, even need to rent bed space at the new facility.

Bowker will also address the impact, if any, that judges sentencing prisoners to Nebraska's Work Ethic Camp has on the number of prisoners housed by Red Willow County.

Also included in the study will be estimates of construction and operational costs.

Bowker said he and Martin will be available for presentations to the public. Bowker said the information he and Martin gather will not send the message that the county is building a jail.

"We will remain impartial, letting our data speak for itself," Bowker said. "We will let you tell us your decision."

McNutt said, "The bottom line is -- we're searching for a 'yes' or a 'no'."

Eisenmenger asked Bowker and Martin -- if the answer is 'no jail" -- if they would be able to make recommendations that might improve the existing system of transporting prisoners. Martin said they could indeed examine how the system is functioning, and, if appropriate, make recommendations to help it run more efficiently and effectively, in terms, Bowker said, of addressing liability and risk management.

Commissioners plan to interview a second jail consultant firm at their meeting Dec. 20. A decision to hire one or the other will be made shortly after the second presentation, McNutt said.

In other action:

* Commissioners signed an interlocal agreement with the City of McCook and Frenchman Valley Coop-Ampride for the purchase of fuel at a cost five cents less than pump price. Commissioners appointed Sheriff Gene Mahon and county road crew member Bob Dike to serve on the agreement's advisory board.

* Commissioners reviewed and filed the county's clerk's and the clerk of the district court's monthly fees reports.