Orange County NC Website
22 <br /> 1 detention center reached capacity, they would have to consider adding another post in the <br /> 2 housing units and that would influence the budget. <br /> 3 Commissioner McKee said that was his question as well. He asked how the workload <br /> 4 would change for detention officers if the jail population increased. <br /> 5 Aaron Baggarly said the primary workload that influences the staffing need is the intake <br /> 6 release/transfer component. He said that when it comes to buildings, there would be more traffic <br /> 7 in the intake/release area. He said that all housing units are operating but they are not full. He <br /> 8 said there would be more inmate movement and traffic so that would increase the workload. He <br /> 9 said that for in-person visitation there is limited capacity. He said the way they structure the <br /> 10 staffing plan includes flexibility for changes in the workload. He said that there are days in the <br /> 11 week where there may be more people coming through the court system. <br /> 12 Commissioner McKee said he wants to make sure that they do not understaff the facility. <br /> 13 Aaron Baggarly said that bareboned is not ideal, but the staffing plan has some elasticity <br /> 14 to account for an increase in inmates. <br /> 15 Commissioner Richards asked for confirmation that there is one women's housing unit. <br /> 16 Aaron Baggarly said that is correct. <br /> 17 Commissioner Richards asked if it is full and if there might be a need for a second <br /> 18 housing unit. <br /> 19 Sheriff Charles Blackwood said that is a difficult question to answer with certainty. He <br /> 20 said that they have not historically reached that point. He said the number of female detainees <br /> 21 has gone up and said that the number of female detainees has increased across the state. He <br /> 22 said that he was in a meeting where they talked about how they are different in Orange County. <br /> 23 He said that some rural counties have 500 people in their jails. He said that Orange County <br /> 24 courts have first appearances every day, he said they work to release the ones that need to be <br /> 25 out. He said that they are fortunate that their numbers are low. He said he appreciates the <br /> 26 opportunity to work with the consultant. <br /> 27 Commissioner Richards asked if there are operational differences for female inmates for <br /> 28 safety reasons. <br /> 29 Sheriff Blackwood said that there have been more female detention officers working <br /> 30 across the facility and the inmates respond favorably. <br /> 31 Aaron Baggarly said that they have a policy that there is always a female detention <br /> 32 officer on duty. <br /> 33 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how detention programming is offered with inmates <br /> 34 staying at the facility for 2 weeks to years. <br /> 35 Sheriff Blackwood said the problem they have in programming is moving the individuals <br /> 36 from the cells to the program areas and outside instructors coming into the secured areas <br /> 37 require oversight and staffing. He said almost all classrooms are behind secure doors, with one <br /> 38 not behind closed doors. He said if they have a small group in that unsecured room, they will <br /> 39 need oversight. He said that peer support and mental wellness are very important. He said they <br /> 40 have a goal to release a better person than they might have been when first detained. He said <br /> 41 that they would be happy to answer any questions. <br /> 42 Commissioner Fowler said she appreciated the workflow and strategic <br /> 43 recommendations. She said that the programming and the introduction of services seem to be <br /> 44 the most critical when they are focusing on rehabilitation. She said that if they want them to be <br /> 45 part of society then they need to be humanizing and she said that she agrees with the evidence- <br /> 46 based success of teaching soft skills, employability skills, and other skills that will help them be <br /> 47 on the right track for release. She said that exercise is critical to mental health. She said she <br /> 48 hopes they can find ways to give them more in-person visitation. <br /> 49 Chair Bedford asked who makes up the jail population. <br /> 50 Tim Jones said about 90% are pre-trial and their cases have not been disposed of. He <br /> 51 said they do house state misdemeanor confinement detainees, and they have been to court and <br />