Logan County Jail outdated
Sheriff defends need for half cent safety tax

 

[March 09, 2019] 

LINCOLN 

On Thursday morning Logan County Sheriff Mark Landers hosted a media conference. Landers primarily spoke about the need for a half cent sales tax that the county is placing in referendum format on the April 2nd election ballot.

With the tax being a sales tax rather than a property tax, Landers noted that the county would benefit from every motorist or tourist who visits Logan County and purchases food at local restaurants, and items at local convenience stores and other retailers in the county. By doing the tax as a sales tax it will relieve the pressure on property owners and will allow the county to raise the funds needed to update the Logan County jail, and possibly do work on the Logan County Courthouse.

In addition, much like the school tax that was passed a few years ago, this sales tax would not be collected on groceries and prescription medications, meaning it would not have a negative impact on those items people have to purchase for health and well-being.

Landers noted that the tax is being proposed with a sunset clause, meaning that voters would be approving a tax that includes an expiration date. In the life of the tax, the county is estimating that it could earn up to $10 million.
 

Landers presented a possible plan for improving the current Logan County Jail by building on an addition to the current building that would add 64 more beds, making for a total of 104 beds in the local jail. He said determining the cost at this moment was not possible, but at the same time, very rough estimates indicate costs could run around $8 M.

Landers stressed that the primary goal for the tax is the jail house improvements, but at the same time, he said there were serious issues at the Logan County Courthouse that the county must figure out how to address. He noted that the roof around the dome is leaking. Water is coming into the courthouse at every rain and from melting snow.

Regardless of the final plan there would be some cost to remove or repair the dome. He gave as an example, the crane that would be needed. Just to bring the crane to the courthouse to remove or repair the dome would cost $40,000. That was just for the crane, with nothing considered for the labor and time involved.

On Thursday morning, Landers focused primarily on the needs of the jail and explained in detail how the demographic for inmates has changed since the Logan County Safety Complex was built in in 1978.

When the complex was built in 1978, the inmate capacity at the jail was 32 people. At that time the average number of inmates on any given day was five. The jail was more than adequate for those numbers. The board was satisfied that they had a facility that would serve the community for years to come. However, as time progressed the number of inmates on any given day increased substantially.

Landers said that the original plan included four beds and an activity room to accommodate four inmates. When the jail was filling to the full 32 capacity on a regular basis, the cells were re-furnished to accommodate two inmates per cell. Then the four cell capacity doubled to eight inmates, but they couldn’t double the capacity of the activity area, so the overcrowding in that area specifically was felt by all.

Now, as we see times changing, so are the demographics of the inmates. Landers said that today the jail needs to provide comfortable and adequate house for different kinds of inmates. For example, he said that in 1978 almost all the inmates were men. The county now sees a large number of female inmates and the women in custody need to be comfortable and safe. He said the county is also seeing increased numbers of elderly inmates, who again require some special accommodations. In addition, provisions need to be made to accommodate transgender inmates and those with mental health issues.
 

Landers explained that the plan does not include segregation as much as separation. With the new design in mind, the total bed capacity would go from 64 to 104.

The expansion would allow the jail superintendent Deputy Mike Block the opportunity to place inmates in specific locations to accommodate their needs and assure safe interactions with fellow inmates.

Landers said the new facility as drafted would offer an additional 13,000 square feet of space for cells, activity rooms, and special services such as medical and counselling rooms. Landers explained that the end goal of time spent in the jail has to include programs that will help the inmate return to society and reduce the number of return visits by addressing some of the issues the inmate has in daily life.

Landers said that jails that are repressive and depressing are proven to not be of benefit to the inmates.

Brooke Martin with Dewberry from Peoria is working with Landers on the plans for a new building. As National Justice Experts, the firm works with designs specifically for jails and other incarceration facilities.

Martin explained that research shows that inmates who stay in a more home-like atmosphere do better all the way around. She said that the plans for the new jail would include comfortable community areas with exposure to outside light. She said this is proven to help reduce recidivism.

Landers also noted that specific rooms for counseling are important as that will allow the county the opportunity to help inmates work through emotional or mental health issues in a comfortable and private setting. He said currently the medical room at the jail is a shared space, and the nurse and deputies have to work around each other. A new facility would have a designated medical room.

Another important feature of the new jail area would be the addition of an onsite arraignment and video arraignment room. Landers said currently the jail cannot offer onsite arraignment.

Inmates must be transported from the jail to the Logan County Courthouse. In certain cases, it is risky business to transport an inmate who is violent or being charged with a violent crime. Landers said that the onsite arraignment would help assure the safety of the deputies, the inmate and the public.

Another point that concerns Landers with the current jail facility is the use of corridors. Landers explained that the current facility is designed with long corridors of cells side by side. The cells are not all within the view of the jailer or deputies on duty. He said this is an issue as the reduced visibility increases the risk of something going wrong inside a jail cell and the jailer on duty not being aware in a timely fashion. The new facility would address that issue.

Also included in the plan for the jail is a remodel of some of the current space as well as a new sallyport. Landers explained that currently the sallyport, which is an enclosed garage where squad cars can be driven inside for the delivery of inmates into the jail, is not large enough. The current sallyport cannot accommodate an ambulance. He said if an inmate is ill and has to be transported to the hospital, the ambulance has to park outside the building, and the inmate has to be taken out of the building in an area that is not properly secured.

Landers said that some of the possible backlash on the current proposal is the belief that those who are incarcerated should not be treated well. He said that when the jail was built in 1978 it was the “tough on crime” era where people believed inmates should be in a somewhat deprived environment. It is a proven fact that doesn’t work.

The best way to reduce the number of repeat offenders is to address their issues and offer them hope and guidance.

Landers said that the community is a stakeholder in the new project. He said that the better facility is good for the inmate, and to remember that these inmates are someone’s father, brother, sister or mother. The person is a friend or a neighbor. The goal should be to bring that person out of jail in a better condition than he or she went in.
 

It was also noted that in general we are a “litigious society.” The community has an expectation of proper care inside the judicial system and will react if they feel that system has failed them or their loved ones.

Martin said that this is a community concern and the community is a stakeholder in the future of the jail as well as the inmates. She said that Logan County will be held to a standard of care, and yet the day is coming when litigation could come into play. She said if the community plans to hold the county to a standard of care, then it needs to get behind the tax.

Under Sheriff Sean Kindred also commented saying, “For those who are thinking ‘I don’t care about this percentage of the population,’ (number) one, they are among you, they are back out in the public, and if we haven’t done something to help them now while they are in our custody and care, then those are the same people who will complain later on saying, ‘Why aren’t they in jail?’”

Asked about the length of stay at the jail, Landers and Block explained that the length of stay varies greatly depending on the reason for incarceration.

In many cases the Logan County Jail is the facility where an inmate will serve his or her entire sentence. This could be 30 days, 90 days or much more. As an example, those found guilty of a misdemeanor can spend up to 364 days in the Logan County Jail. Suspects awaiting trial can spend up to two years at the jail waiting for their court dates.

The referendum will be on the April 2nd ballot.

Landers said that he is working to get the word out about the importance of this tax and the value the new improved Logan County Safety Complex will have for the community.

Landers was hopeful that the public understand the needs.

He is also scheduled to address some local groups and organizations on the topic between now and April 2nd and is willing to do more. If anyone wants to schedule him for their meeting, they can contact either of his two assistants Tina Feldman or Tina O’Hara at 217-732-2156 or 217-732-4159.

Other business

Landers also took a few moments to comment on his first 90 days in office. He said that the transition was going well and he’s been really busy. He said that there have been some promotions within his department and now he is looking to hire some replacement deputies and staff to fill the gaps left by the promotions.

Landers also noted that the size of the sheriff staff is down, and at the same time, the county budget has not allowed for an increase in officers in the last 20 years. With the new additions to the jail, the county will be asked about increasing the number of staff.

Landers also took a few moments to speak about the recent changes at the Logan County EMA. With the announced retirement of Dan Fulsher, the Logan County Board has approved placing Landers in charge of the Logan County Emergency Management Agency and the ETSB/911.

Landers brought Fulscher to the front of the room and thanked him for all that he has done for the EMA and 911. Fulsher in turn congratulated Landers on his appointment and assured Landers that he would always be just a phone call away.

Fulsher is set to retire in approximately two months and says that he has plans to spend time with family and is looking forward to coaching his grandson in little league and continuing to work with the local youth wrestling programs.

Landers commented on the staff within the 911/EMA program, noting that Kendal Caruthers and Cheryl Hedrick will continue to serve the program and they are strong and capable people who will continue the daily operations with strong professionalism. He said that while yes, he was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the magnitude of responsibilities, he was also confident that he and his support staff will continue the program with “no diminished capacity” for the community.

[Nila Smith]