Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
ITEM #3 1 <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> • <br /> TO: OHN K, COUNTY MANAGER <br /> FROM: ONES, PURCHASING AND CENTRAL SERVICES DIRECTOR <br /> RE: JAIL/COURTHOUSE PROJECT DISCUSSION OF OPTIONS <br /> DATE: AUGUST 1. 1995 <br /> 1 have spent the last month exploring any and all perceived options to the dilemma we find <br /> ourselves in on the Jail/Courthouse project. I have attempted to put together a report which will <br /> provide the following information: <br /> • Background information of project need; <br /> • An articulation of options we have explored and the results of our analysis; <br /> • Funding options for the additional money needed for the project; <br /> • Recommendation. <br /> Background <br /> There are two components of this project, the Jail additional and the addition of one courtroom <br /> for use by Superior Court. <br /> Courtroom <br /> This project was necessitated by the extreme overcrowding in the Court system, <br /> particularly as it regards the District Court system. The implementation of Administrative Court <br /> on Fridays has reduced the size of the Monday/Wednesday courts, however, the Friday courts <br /> are far in excess of the District courtroom capacity(82). While the District and Superior Court <br /> Judges have worked well together to coordinate the use of the Superior Courtroom in the New <br /> Courthouse when District Court dockets were out of sight, the problem has not been eliminated, <br /> nor does it show signs of diminishing in the future. The courtroom to be built will be specifically <br /> for Superior C_.:urt and the large courtroom in the New Courthouse currently assigned for <br /> Superior Col.. will be designated for District Court. The Old Courthouse courtroom will continue <br /> to be used for Superior Court as well. <br /> Jail <br /> The problem with the Jail has gotten worse in the past few months. Average daily <br /> population is at 118; the rated capacity of the Jail is 71. The Sheriff has decreased the number <br /> of Federal inmates which he is holding, which in turn reduces the revenue we will receive. While <br /> the pre-trial release program funded through the Criminal Justice Partnership Act is in its infancy, <br /> there has been imperceptible impact of the program on the daily population to date. As is the <br /> case in the Court numbers, there are no signs of future population decreases. <br /> Overcrowding is not a matter to be dealt with lightly. It's impact makes us vulnerable in a number <br /> of areas. There may be increased incidences of altercations among inmates, staff stress is <br /> increased and the potential for other inmate situations is increased when the population is <br /> significantly over capacity. <br /> The entire $2,000,000 allocated to this project comes from the Federal Marshal's office and <br /> guarantees them 75 beds for 15 years. <br /> • <br /> JaWCourthouse Project 1 <br />