Minutes 02-09-2021 Virtual Work Session

Browse Search

12 Chair Price asked if the increase in the reimbursement rate could be clarified. Sheriff Blackwood said Travis Myren negotiated the costs. He said they wanted to get reimbursed at a rate that reflected the cost of housing inmates, and Travis Myren did an excellent job. He said Orange County provides excellent care in a strategic location within the State. Commissioner Hamilton referred to the reimbursement rates, and asked if staff could distinguish between variable costs and fixed costs. Travis Myren said 60-70% of the costs are personnel. He said the variable costs are connected to food and medical expenses. Commissioner Hamilton asked if the personnel costs fluctuate due to the jail census. Travis Myren said the Sheriff makes staffing decisions, but reducing costs would mean closing a housing unit. Commissioner Hamilton asked if the size of housing units could be identified. Chief Jamie Sykes said the pods are around 24 people. He said in the old part of the jail, one cell varies from 6-12 people. Commissioner Dorosin clarified that is does not take the same number of personnel to guard 1 person as it does 24. Sheriff Blackwood said it takes a certain number of people to operate a jail, which is not dependent on the number of inmates. Commissioner Dorosin reviewed the costs listed in the agenda abstract, and asked if there is a sense it will cost more in the new facility. He asked if the contract costs are fixed. He said if the plan is to still accept federal inmates after the pandemic, will the average daily federal inmate population go back up to 40-50 people. He asked, if the jail population is low enough to close a unit, would the staffing structure change. He said the conversation started with a discussion on how big the new jail should be, because there is a goal to reduce the incarcerated population in Orange County. He said if the goal is to reduce the population, the County should eliminate the housing of federal inmates. Sheriff Blackwood said federal inmates will be housed somewhere, and he believes Orange County treats inmates humanely and the detention facility is the best place these inmates can be housed. He discussed how the pod structure works, with deputies watching over the pod in a central location. He said the detention center is already operating with minimal staffing, and all are necessary to the basic functioning of the building. He said costs of the new detention center will not be known until the facility opens. He said measures to reduce costs are being researched and implemented. He said the contract with the federal marshals can be renegotiated if it is felt that the County is not getting reimbursed for the full cost of housing inmates. He said the Board could decide not to have the federal inmate program in Orange County. He said it may reduce logistical headaches, and there will be financial impacts. He said it comes up every single year, and the BOCC should decide what it wants to do. Commissioner Dorosin said he would like to get rid of the federal inmate program. Commissioner McKee the Board intended to use diversion programs to reduce the jail population, which have been successful. He said the Board reviews the federal program repeatedly, and if the federal program is ended, the costs of running the detention center will continue. He said the federal reimbursement helps the detention center operate, and if the Board does away with it, the Board will have to find funds elsewhere. He said Orange County treats the inmates well, and the County does not have the money to operate the detention center without the reimbursement. Chair Price said she supported depopulating the jail of local residents. She asked if the County accepts federal inmates so they are closer to court locations. Chief Jamie Sykes said Orange County is centrally located to transport federal inmates to federal court in Greensboro and Durham. He agreed that Orange County treats federal