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Lincoln Fiscal Court considers jail options . . . again

July 12, 2007|George Lewis

Options for correcting deficiencies in the Lincoln County Regional Jail were, once again, discussed in Lincoln Fiscal Court.

Some of the deficiencies are "life-safety issues," said a state jail inspector.

In his quarterly report to magistrates Tuesday, Jailer David Gooch said state corrections officials say Lincoln County must formulate a plan for improvements to the chronically overcrowded jail, or face closure.

In a letter addressed to Gooch. Jeff Burton, assistant director of the Department of Corrections, said, "The Lincoln County Jail cannot continue to operate this aging facility for an indefinite period. Ultimately, the county must decide on its own accord what action, if any, it is going to pursue within 15 days of receipt of this letter."

The county received the letter July 5, County Judge Executive Buckwheat Gilbert said.

The most recent state inspection of the jail revealed numerous safety and security violations, including "life-safety issues" regarding the lack of sprinkler systems and an inadequate venting system, according to the report.

Gooch said the jail is "a lawsuit waiting to happen."

Gooch requested that the county transfer $50,000 from the general fund into the jail fund to cover anticipated budget shortfalls so that the jail can meet "immediate obligations."

Gooch said he can end the series of budget transfers and actually make money for the county with the construction of a new regional jail (see the jailer's commentary on Page 10A of today's paper).

Gooch asked magistrates to immediately form a committee to decide which of the county's jail options should be followed.

However, the court decided to consider appointing the committee at a special meeting Judge Gilbert says he plans to call for Thursday, July 19.

"We can't decide today on what size jail to build," Judge Gilbert said.

State corrections officials have said they want to see "significant milestones' established, if the county decides to proceed with construction of a new jail. Those milestones should include a decision on where to build the jail, when to begin construction, and how to finance the project.

The fiscal court took a step toward new jail construction earlier this year when it hired an architectural firm to issue a report on the feasibility of constructing a new jail. Options the firm set forth include closing the jail, which would mean the county would have to pay other counties to house Lincoln County prisoners, or build a new jail. Renovating the existing jail is not a viable option, the firm concluded.

At that time, magistrates delayed acting on the firm's report until a budget for the new fiscal year could be established.

Magistrate David Faulkner said during Tuesday's court meeting that he favors partnering with other counties in construction of a regional jail and that any committee formed to study the issue should include representatives of other counties.

Gooch said counties that would share in the expense would also share in the profit, which he is sure he can turn if given the facility to do so.

Fiscal court is already considering merging 911 services of Lincoln and Garrard counties.

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