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| Sheriff Pleads For Help |
| By swtimes.com - Rusty Garrett |
| Published: 05/17/2011 |
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Noting the shortage of detention center staff poses "an increasing hazard for the safety" of personnel, Crawford County Sheriff Ron Brown on Monday asked the Quorum Court to consider manpower needs when budgeting for 2012. Brown, appearing before the court's Personnel Committee, referred to a recent letter he received from Capt. Jeff Marvin, jail administrator, highlighting challenges facing the jail in response to a recent review of jail standards. Marvin said while the county jail itself is determined to be essentially in compliance with regard to cleanliness and management, issues of shortages in staff, bed capacity and space continue to persist. Marvin's letter, dated May 5, said the current jail population was 107, in excess of the 88-bed capacity of the facility. An additional 29 felons - most of them convicted and waiting for state prison beds - are being housed in Grant County. Marvin noted the county currently must spend $20,000 to $30,000 monthly to lodge prisoners at other jails. Marvin wrote of increasing "tension" at the jail, where inmate fights are more common and inmate grievances and lawsuits are plentiful. Marvin has worked with JP Lloyd Cole, chairman of the court's Jail Committee, on a plan announced in April to decrease jail population with signature bonds, ankle monitors and good-time releases, but results have had little effect, because few prisoners were eligible. Brown told JPs at their monthly meeting he recognized the county's current finances are tight and the chance of any relief in the near future is remote. But he asked justices to consider increasing jail staff as a priority when it comes time to budget for next year. "I know other departments may ask," Brown said, but pointed out continued deficiencies in jail staff could eventually result in having to close the jail. Brown said the jail schedules five employees for every shift. However, factoring in absences resulting from illness, days off and military deployment shortens the list of available workers. The staff is further taxed by out-of-jail duties such as transporting prisoners and monitoring court appearances. Talking after the meeting, Brown said he believes the jail could use another five detention deputies. "But having just one would go a long way toward a more positive review during the next inspection," he said. In a brief discussion, JPs noted county voters had three times in recent years turned down proposals for funding a new or enlarged jail. Read More. |
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