Minutes 11-19-2024 - Business Meeting

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