Orange County NC Website
1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: November 19, 2024 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 7-a <br /> SUBJECT: Report on Detention Center Operational and Staffing Assessment <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Manager and Sheriff's <br /> Office <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Operational and Staffing Assessment Travis Myren, 919-245-2308 <br /> Consultant Presentation Sheriff Charles Blackwood, 919-245-2922 <br /> PURPOSE: To receive the findings and recommendations from the Detention Center Operational <br /> and Staffing Assessment. <br /> BACKGROUND: In response to a petition from Commissioner Anna Richards, the County <br /> retained Matrix Consulting Group to conduct an independent, objective, and comprehensive <br /> staffing and efficiency analysis of the Orange County Detention Center. <br /> The scope of the assessment included: <br /> • an analysis of current detention operations, including workload and service level objectives, <br /> • a review of the intake and release processes, <br /> • a comparison of current service levels to emergent best practices, <br /> • a review of the fixed post staffing plan, and <br /> • an analysis of current staffing needs based on the current Detention Center population. <br /> The study noted six (6) key findings following the analysis: <br /> • The Sheriff's Office should continue the transition to an operational model that conforms to <br /> a podular remote designed facility rather than the linear indirect supervision module used <br /> in the prior facility. <br /> • Robust policies and procedures are in place, but staff lack staff awareness and <br /> understanding of those policies and procedures. <br /> • No detainee programs/services or in-person visitation is currently provided. <br /> • Detainees are able to use tablets to increase video visitation opportunities. <br /> • The facility lacks formalized minimum staffing levels. <br /> • Staff have a limited understanding of booking and release functions and processes. <br />