Safety risk
Public Safety
Public safety is at higher risk each time inmates are taken to court or transferred to other Counties. Inmates are moved through general hallways because there are no secure corridors and must walk across the street for court appearances. Transferring inmates takes deputies off of the road decreasing focus on citizen safety. These actions leave the public, inmates, and staff at risk of injury and increase the risk of inmate escapes.
Staff Safety
Design of the current facility provides restricted view to inmates and overcrowding has increased inmate to staff ratio. When making rounds they are exposed to being grabbed by inmates or having food, urine or feces thrown on them. Staff and occupants also at increased risk to illness due to improper ventilation of an old facility.
Inmate Safety
Crowded cells and the loss of privacy increase the odds that inmates will lash out, threatening the staff keeping watch and inmates around them.
Impact
The current facility increases risk for injury, illness, or death of staff, inmates, and the public. Furthermore, the current facility is not properly designed to provide treatment and rehabilitation services to help inmates re-enter society and minimize their chances of reverting to crime.