Fillmore County’s jail is nearly a half century old, built in 1970. The jail was remodeled in 1995, at which time it was rated as a 24 bed facility. At that time a new garage, juvenile holding area, and multi-purpose room was added. The aging jail is plagued with mounting maintenance needs. Systems are dated and/or deteriorating. A water softener has never been in use; minerals have taken their toll. There are compliance issues with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
On May 16 the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, as part of a jail assessment process, addressed the public at a meeting held at Fillmore Central in Preston. The meeting was attended by 20 or so law enforcement staff, several county commissioners, and a handful of county residents. The Sheriff’s office made an effort to advertise the public meeting, but few attended.
In February 2017 the jail was downgraded to a 90-day facility by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. This prompted Sheriff Tom Kaase to contact the (NIC) for an assessment of the facility and the related justice system in Fillmore County. Mark Martin and Julia Hughes were contracted by the NIC to do the assessment and to provide technical assistance. The intention was to provide an unbiased assessment to help determine the need for a new or upgraded facility.
Kaase, in a phone conversation, maintained the facility is still functional, secure, safe, and well staffed. Over the years requirements have changed. For example, a cell that was once rated by square footage as a 4 person cell is now rated only for three people. Therefore, the county’s jail is now rated as a 20 bed facility. Practices that have been accepted for years are not accepted today.
To date, no inmates have had to transfer to another facility due to the 90 day limit. The Sentence to Serve program continues with only county inmates at this time. The jail could not accept state inmates for a period of time, but will again in the near future.
Jail administrator Jamie Fenske noted nine people were incarcerated on May 30. The average daily incarceration number for 2017 as of this date is 5.5 males and 1 female.
Fillmore County statistics
Fillmore County’s population has declined since 1960 (23,768) to an estimated 21,003 in 2016. The population has stayed relatively steady since the early 1990s. The population is projected to grow only by 200 or so through 2040. The median age in the county is 43, which is six years older than the average for the state. Incomes average lower than the state average. The unemployment rate in February 2017 at 4% was slightly lower than the state rate. A higher percentage of residents of the county graduate from high school and attain post secondary education than the state rate, but a lower percentage earn advanced degrees.
Crime trends are relatively low with larceny and simple assault, the most frequently reported offenses. The general trend has been for a reduction in jail admissions over the last decade. Female inmates account for 13%, which is near the national average. The highest risk group is from 25 to 34, which is fairly typical. Most inmates are residents of Fillmore County and most are charged with felony level offenses. About one-third involve violence and about three-quarters are alcohol or drug related.
The average daily population in 2015 and 2016 was 11.9. The average length of stay is about 10 days. Fillmore County has a relatively low incarceration rate. In 2013 the incarceration rate was at 63 per 100,00 population, which was less than half of Minnesota levels and about 25% of the United States as a whole. The incarceration rate has declined in Fillmore County and nationwide over the last decade.
Alternative sentencing including home detention, treatment and mental health and drug programs contributes to a lower jail population. “In Fillmore County a person has a higher chance of being on probation than in jail.”
Juveniles are currently sent to Rochester. Inmates are housed in Houston or Olmsted County facilities if there is a recognized suicide risk or a mental health issue.
Jail inadequacies
The list of inadequacies of the current jail facility is long. The jail does not meet Minnesota Jail Standards for a basic adult jail facility, as it fails to meet space and functionality requirements. The jail lacks appropriate housing for special needs inmates (showers, door width, beds, toilets, and visiting spaces).
The conclusion is that the jail is aged and obsolete. Systems and equipment are worn, unreliable, and/or inadequate. There are safety and security concerns. The lack of appropriate housing prevents the separation of inmate populations by classification, leading to security and safety risks. It is not ADA compliant. There is a lack of space for laundry, housekeeping, medical, and other services. Design, layout, and fixtures fail to meet design and building codes.
Options for improvement
Kaase explained that during his campaign for office and over the last two years serving as sheriff, he has been in favor of starting the process to make a decision on what is best for the county concerning the jail. In his opinion, there are three options: remodel, build new, or close the facility and contract with other counties to house inmates. It costs $50 to $80 per day to house a prisoner in another county depending on the county.
There are advantages and disadvantages with each option. Kaase wants to explore and vet all three options. He suggested the best direction for the residents of Fillmore County might not be the cheapest way. Cost savings should not be the only thing driving the decision. Both remodeling or building new will have a substantial financial impact on tax payers. He made it clear that there will be no cheap fix.
The county has been looking at solutions for a decade or more. Estimates over that time for the construction of a new facility have been in the $10 million range. Over this time the estimated cost to renovate the existing facility and/or add on to it have ranged from $2.5 million to $5 million. The third option, to eliminate the jail and outsource to another county, has its own set of issues, one being the transportation of inmates.
Judge Matt Opat is concerned about transportation problems if inmates are housed in other counties. He suggests the jail at a minimum should be a 90-day facility and prefers it be a 12-month facility. He wants to retain the STS program which he believes helps inmates learn and earn community trust.
Commissioner Duane Bakke while reporting on the June 5 District 9 meeting, during a recent county board meeting, said in his opinion there will be a jail in the county in the future, “a 90-day facility.” Several commissioners from other counties in the district let it be known during the meeting that they had space. Surrounding counties like Wabasha and Houston have empty beds available at their jails.
Two sources of funding could be tapped to finance this kind of capital project (remodel or a new facility). One source is bonding and the other would be drawing from the county’s Infrastructure Fund. The county currently is making payments on one bond. At the end of 2016 the amount owed on that bond was about $1.9 million. It is scheduled to be paid off in 2024. The county’s Infrastructure Fund has a balance of about $1.8 million. Figures were provided by the coordinator’s office.
Financing a new facility would likely require a bond referendum.
Kaase insisted he is committed to a transparent process. In order to get citizens involved, the possibility of an open house at the jail is being considered. This could be scheduled over a weekend to give groups a tour of the jail. People could then see first hand some of the issues with the old facility.
The Department of Corrections (DOC) wants a number of items addressed. The DOC recently inspected the jail, and they want the county to take the initiative and plan for the future.
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