History Of The New Law Enforcement Center
I’ve been remiss and haven’t posted in way to long. Summer is a very busy time for everyone, myself included but that’s no excuse!
Anyway, I thought it might be interesting to jump in the wayback machine and go back to November 1, 2005. On this date, then Sheriff Gary Mill, Chief Deputy Frank Homer and current Jail Administrator Sherri Klasen presented the following report on the plans for the new Law Enforcement Center. The report is presented here in it’s entirety and as it was originally presented.
NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER HISTORY AND PLANS
DATE: November 1, 2005
PROVIDED BY: Sheriff Gary Mills, Chief Deputy Frank Homer, Jail Administrator Sherri Klasen
HISTORY:
Since the early 1980′s Hubbard County has had issues with overflowing inmate jail populations. In 1982 the current L.E.C./Jail was constructed because of over population, and to operate under the Minnesota Department of Corrections standards and codes. The 1982 building housed 13 inmates, and was the base for Dispatch, Jailors, Administration and Deputies. The 1982 jail was a 90 day holding facility only. Shortly after the facility was built the county immediately experienced crowding in the jai. Again overflow inmates were transported and held in surrounding jails. Hubbard County even began experiencing the early release of inmates because of over population. By 1987 a new addition had been planned and built. The new addition provided housing for a total of 28 inmates.
By the mid to late 1990′s, again Hubbard County began feeling cramped as the inmates over population problem again became an issue. The Department of Corrections also at this time began making demands regarding employee/inmate privacy issues and wanting improvements. By 1999 Hubbard County became involved in a Northwestern Minnesota nine (9) county regional jail study, involving counties to the West, (Becker, Mahnomen, Polk, Wadena, Norman, Clay, Clearwater, Hubbard and Red Lake). A small committee was formed consisting of Sheriff, Office Personnel and Board members. Meetings and comprehensive studies continued for approximately 2 years without actions.
In 2002, the Hubbard County Jail Committee and later the Hubbard County Board made a decision to join another regional jail concept group. This was known as Central Minnesota Regional Jail Group, involving nine (9) counties to the East and South (Cass, Aitkin, Crow Wing, Morrison, Itasca, Beltrami, Todd Wadena and Hubbard). The comprehensive studies/research meetings continued and so did our issues. Besides over population and housing up to 10-12 inmates in other counties, Hubbard County had a 550 count warrant list. Transportation costs were rising and Deputies were being used in transporting inmates instead of them answering calls and protecting the county. Both transporting and the necessary extra personnel required to operate the jail caused increase in overtime and/or part time expenses.
The Central Minnesota Regional Jail concept continued but our interest soon dissipated as a decision was made to build the $12.6 million facility near Brainerd on the Minnesota State Hospital grounds. Committee members and Board members felt very apprehensive about being a part of a $12 to $13 million project out of Hubbard County. Factors also considered, were the yearly cost to maintain such facility ($400+/bed), the fact that Crow wing County residence would benefit from the employment possibilities, and that there still would be a per bed cost to counties, especially if more inmates were sent to be housed than originally planned.
By early 2003, research began on the possibility of building a Law Enforcement Center Jail attached Courthouse. A new Jail Study committee was established that included Law Enforcement, Commissioners, Swede Nelson, and Dick Devine, Maintenance Supervisor Lee Gwaizdon, citizen Gene Kinkel, D.O.C. representative Al Brinkman, PRPD Dave Volden, Earl Wagner, and later Commissioner Floyd Frank, and Coordinator Jack Paul. Side interest included building jointly with the PRPD and/or expanding an already erected Minnesota Power and Light building. Hubbard County proceeded with plans for more of an attached building.
In March of 2003, the Board authorized preliminary floor plans to begin being drawn up by selected Architect Richard Rude. The committee and Board set the criteria to build listing immediate needs, but also worked to plan for future needs and future expansions. The many meetings resulted in consideration of a 120 bed jail facility constructed under the modern “Podular Design”, unlike the current “Linear Design”.
The new jail facility should readily be divided into two (2) pods so as one 60 bed pod can be opened first and the second could be opened later as the need arises or contracts from the other counties were received. The facility would also include Sheriff’s Office Administration, second floor unfinished expansion, and a basement which would include disaster/emergency recovery rooms, a child abuse interview room, a public meeting room, etc.
It should be noted that during the planning stages in 2003 notification was sent to Hubbard County about a renewed five (5) county Central Minnesota Regional Jail Group, spearheaded by Cass County Administrator Bob Yocum. The counties involved included Cass, Beltrami, Itasca, Hubbard, and Wadena. Jail Committee members did attend meetings as these counties were neighboring counties and Hubbard would be the central location having a Hospital, Clinic, Chemical Dependency Treatment Center. The plans during the meeting turned towards the purchase of the Ah-Gway-Ching facility from the State of Minnesota, and building this into a regional Jail. At this time the State had no immediate interest in closing Ah-Gwah-Ching, so a decision was made to proceed with plans for our own jail with a possible interest of including Cass County in our plans. Later contact with Cass County Officials ended up with offers to contract 20 beds from Hubbard County for a period of 10 years. The contract would say Cass County would pay for 20 beds per day for 10 years whether they used them or not. Another option was to receive the 20 beds per day at a reduced price if Cass County paid $2 million up front.
During the process, the City of Park Rapids chose to build their own new facility, which would house Public Works and the Police Department. Cass County, during talks, continued their interest by asking for commitment of 60 beds. Because of this, and because of time restraints, Cass County went forward with plans with Crow Wing County. January 6th, 2004, the Board voted 5-0 to move forward with plans to build an LEC./Jail on site.
Originally plans began for a 120 bed jail, Sheriff Administration, Dispatch, Jail Control Area for approximately $5 million. Property tax impact analysis was prepared in December 6, 2003 based on the bonded amount of $5 million. Because of changes and additions made for the facility along with adding the cost to purchase adjacent properties and demolition of buildings on adjacent properties, the amount finally bonded is $8.6 million at the rate of 3.25% for 20 years. Plans moved forward regarding the construction project and on February 4, 2004 Hubbard County Coordinator Jack Paul was directed to work with personnel from the Sheriff’s Office on ideas to notify the public, specifically by putting updated information on the County website. The County was seeking out questions from the public regarding the project. Questions were to be directed to the Jail Committee Members.
In February 2004, Sheriff Mills presented the Board of Commissioners the projects options developed by the Jail Committee and Acrhitect. The Board unanimously directed the Jail Committee to work with Architect Dick Rude with the Jail construction to include a 118 bed jail, Law Enforcement Administration, full basement and an unfinished (shell) top floor.
In May 2004, bid specifications went out asking for a base bid, and bids on three (3) addendas and five (5) options. On July 20th, 2004 at 2:00PM the bids were opened and tabulated. Eight General Contractors/Companies submitted bids. The bid was awarded to Meinecke-Johnson.
In June/July, 2004 Sheriff Mills began discussing the need to increase Jai Staff in the new Jail. There were several meetings regarding this issue that included input from the D.O.C Inspector Al Brinkman. The final authorization was mad to hire four (4) teams of four (4) which would be a total of sixteen Jailor/Dispatchers to work twelve (12) hour shifts. The four (4) in each shift would then cover Dispatch person, Jail Control person, Booking Area person, and a Floor person.
During the summer of 2004 the demolition of the Wringer Building began along with the demolition of two homes that were purchased on the edge of the lot next to Court Street. Also during the summer of 2004, the home on the corner of Court Street and 3rd Street (Simmons house) was purchased by the County. The home was later purchased by HUD and moved by Ecker Brothers Moving, leaving only the garage.
By October 2004 construction started on the new Law Enforcement Center/Jail. Construction continues with a substantial completion date of February 10th, 2006.
(See attached plans for operation.)
PLANS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE NEW JAIL
As of November 1, 2005, the construction of the new jail facility continues. Construction is said to be on schedule. The substantial completion date of the jail still is scheduled for February 10th, 2006.
Prior to the opening the following procedures will be accomplished:
December 2005 – Detailed tour/walk through with Commissioners and Architect.
By January 1, 2006 – A Policy and Procedure manual will be written and dispensed.
January/February 2006 – Jail/Dispatchers will be trained in the operation of the facility. Additional training will occur regarding podular jails.
Mid March 2006 – An open house will be scheduled.
Mid March 2006 – Full security inspection to inspect Jail Facility for sharps etc. after construction.
March 2006 – test run – volunteer inmates
March 2006 – D.O.C. inspection.
Late March/early April 2006 – Move inmates.
Will will open the new Hubbard County Jail with existing inmates (23-30). We will begin operating in one (1) 60 bed pod. Our goal is to have the occupancy of the 60 bed pod at D.O.C.’s allowable operational capacity, which would be 54.
November/December 2005 – Introduction/information letters will be sent out to all Minnesota Sheriffs and Jail Administrators.
November 2005 – Letters of inquiry will be submitted to Sheriffs and Jail Administrators in District #1 and District #2 asking if there would be interest in their counties housing inmates.
Personal contact will be made to counties responding with interest.
November 2005 – Contact D.O.C. to inquire of work program inmates, and minimum/medium security inmates that we could house for them.
I want to clear something up that often confuses people. It would’ve been impossible to open up with one 60 bed pod as we have no 60 bed pods. We have 3 pods (1 female and 2 male) each with 32-40 beds. Additionally, housing units are gender specific so we had to open with at least 1 male and 1 female pod. Lastly, we have to classify inmates according to how serious their crime is, past and current behavior, criminal history, incompatibilities, gang affiliation, etc., so our male population is divided up between the 2 male pods based on these and other criteria.
From → Corrections
