The number of inmates at the Shawano County Jail continues to flirt with the maximum capacity threshold, which will eventually lead to the county renting space at jails in surrounding counties.
“It’s not a matter of if; it’s a matter of when we’re going to be full in there, and it’s going to cost the county money to house these inmates,” Sheriff George Lenzner said at the Feb. 4 public safety committee meeting. “If we just have a few once in a while, we can use our inmate welfare fund. Now, if this becomes a serious issue, this fund’s going to dwindle.”
Jail Administrator Troy Beyer said the current number of inmates is a little lower than the previous month. The jail averaged 185 inmates per day in January; so far this month, the average is 177.
It’s not just the number of inmates; it’s also how each person is classified. Inmates of similar classifications are housed together, but if there is only one inmate with a certain classification, he cannot be housed with inmates of other classifications — in effect, potentially using an entire housing area for one inmate.
Classifications are based on the nature and number of current charges and past convictions, behavioral history, safety needs and background factors such as gang affiliation and mental health needs.
A resolution on the books from a few years ago allows the use of the inmate welfare fund to house inmates out of the county, if necessary.
Money is added to the fund from the inmates’ use of the canteen, visitations, texts, emails and other methods.
“This is money you have to be careful with,” Lenzner said. “You’re not supposed to use it for just anything.”
The current balance of the fund is approximately $556,604.31, said Nichole Zuehl, the county’s finance director.
“Usually this money has to be spent toward the inmates,” the sheriff added. “We use it for mattresses, bedding.”
The fund is generally intended for the benefit, education and welfare of inmates, though in some cases, it may be used for facility maintenance. Beyer said funds have been used for repairs in the parking lot, elevator, showers and restroom flooring.
County-to-county charges for housing inmates varies but is in the neighborhood of $60 per day.
Beyer said Brown County recently called to see if they could house inmates in Shawano County. Oconto County is housing some Brown County inmates and has said it could handle up to 10 from Shawano County.
Waupaca County is housing inmates for Marathon County, and Langlade County is full and not accepting out-of-county inmates.
“It’s why it’s so important to think about this pod if we build,” Lenzner said about the possible 150-bed housing pod that could be part of a new courthouse building project. “Besides the housing, you’re going to be paying officers’ overtime to do transport. It’s going to cost a lot of money. That’s why if we don’t build this pod in phase one, I think we’re going to be in trouble down the road. In four or five years, you’re going to have no room for your inmates.”
The inmate welfare fund cannot be used to pay officers’ overtime. That would affect the department’s overtime budget and the county’s general fund.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
