2014

 To educate, state the facts, and to dispel rumors about our current facility and why a new facility is necessary.  To show the current facility’s condition and its issues in comparison to a modern jail operation.

 The courthouse was built in the 1920’s with the Sheriff’s Office and jail located on the 4 th floor.  The jail consist of three cells, with a capacity of 13 inmates (2 – five inmate cells and 1 – three inmate cell).  The Court House is on the Historic Registry, making improvements very difficult.  The courthouse elevator was added in 1976.

 A county jail is mainly used as a holding facility for pre-adjudicated (pre-trial) inmates.  Most are in county jail awaiting trial, waiting to be bonded out, or waiting to be sent to prison.  Some are serving sentence, but unlike prison, an inmate can only be held up to one year in the county jail.

 It is a County Jail not a Prison  Most of our inmates are Rooks County residents and not from the major cities  There are No windows for inmates to peer out of.  No razor wire or search lights to make the area look forbidding.  No outside exercise yard for inmates to interact with the public.

This is a growing inmate population in county facilities due to the purchases and production of methamphetamines. Rooks County

 Just because someone is incarcerated doesn’t mean they forfeit all their constitutional rights.  Kansas no longer has a Jail Inspector. Sheriffs are bound by the Kansas State Fire Marshall to meet the health, safety and welfare of the occupants per the building codes. A county detention facility is identified as Institutional-type 3 (I-3).  While they lose their physical freedom, the inmates do not lose their rights related to religion, speech, medical and mental health care, searches, due process, and access to the courts.

 The jail needs to be brought up to current codes and standards like ADAAG. Narrow detention door openings limit entry or exit into the Sheriff’s office and holding area.  Ambulance personnel cannot place a gurney or back board in the elevator without standing it on end to access the fourth floor.  There are major problems when the elevator is shut down for any delivery, medical emergency or moving an unruly inmate up or down four flights of stairs.

 There are concerns with the evacuation of staff and inmates in the event of a fire. There is no sprinkler system in the courthouse. Any major renovations will require the county to upgrade and renovate the entire courthouse.

 Insufficient space to separate (classify) inmate types by crimes and security levels.  Insufficient space to separate or isolate inmates with medical problems and mental health issues.  Lacking a secure location to screen mental health patients.

 They eat every meal in their sleeping area which creates issues.  No dayroom for out of cell activity or tables for inmates to eat at.  Inmates are not allowed the required “1 hour” a day outside their cells.

 Overcrowding issues, inmates sleeping on the floor. Which can be a danger to officers and staff when entering a cell.  Department of Corrections (DOC) overcrowding issues and State budget cuts, are putting the burden back onto the County jails.  Federal & State budget cuts to the mental health facilities, means placing them in county jails

 Very poor set up for visitation, which is a major security risk for contraband.  The cells have metal bars, which makes it easier for suicide attempts. There has been one successful suicide and one attempt in the last three years.  Lack of camera coverage for persons on suicide watch. Currently dispatch and jailers must visually check inmates every 15 minutes. This can leave 911 phones and radios unmanned.

 More secure holding facility – less chance of escapes.  Lessen the liability of inmate lawsuits due to code and ACA violations.  Comply with all ADAAG laws and building codes.  Safer environment for inmates & staff.

 911 phones and radios will not be left unmanned.  Keep jail expense dollars within the county.  Jobs for the department.

 Isolation cell for those inmates with contagious health issues, mental health issues or attitude problems  Secure room for AA, NA, Church Services & exercise for inmates

Rooks County Female cell Rooks County “bullpen”

 We are seeking to fund the project by issuing a ½ cent county wide sales tax that should pay off in 12 years or less. Rooks County does not want to do this by raising property taxes. A ½ cent sales tax would add.50 cents to a $100 purchase, or $5 to a $1000 purchase. The tax will be put to a public vote on Nov. 4 th.  The estimated project cost for the jail is $3.5 million dollars  The tax would automatically “sunset” as soon as the bonds are paid in full.

Want to THANK YOU for your time and consideration!