The number of inmates booked into the Oconto County Jail hit an all-time high of 100 on Nov. 4, and a record 37 inmates were housed in other counties’ facilities on Oct. 15.
The population spike underscores the need for more inmate housing, just one factor in the county’s decision to construct a law enforcement center that, with double bunking, will house 175 inmates when it opens in late 2016.
The County Board on Thursday reviewed designs for the $30 million facility, which will include Sheriff’s Department offices, a jail and 911 center.
The current jail has a capacity of 69, but due to different classifications of prisoners, the jail averages 55 to 65 inmates daily, according to Jail Administrator Carol Kopp.
On Nov. 4, the jail housed 65 inmates at its facility, with 30 others in neighboring counties and five on electronic monitoring systems, Kopp said. Inmates were housed in Oconto, Marinette, Forest, Shawano and Langlade counties.
The jail population has averaged 85 inmates over the last six months, with an average of 25 housed out of the county.
Kopp said an increased number of drug arrests contributed to the population upsurge, as did the calendar.
“When we look back at the peaks and spikes over the last several years, we usually see a spike at this time of year,” she said, although she did not have an explanation for the trend.
The high jail population led to an increased demand for transportation, and staff members were called in for extra duty.
When working with a large population of inmates, Kopp said the key is positive staff-to-inmate communication.
“I certainly will always give tremendous kudos to the correctional staff of the Oconto County Jail,” she said.
The new jail planned for the 94,000-square-foot LEC will remedy many of the problems related to the current facility, which is outdated, lacks adequate space, needs major repairs and has security issues.
“Our biggest advantage is going to be inmate supervision,” Kopp said. “The sight lines and layout (of the current jail) make it very staff intensive to do everything we need to do in a day.”
Kevin Anderson, of Potter Lawson, showed the County Board images of the proposed jail design featuring the supervision of inmates from a control pod in the center of the jail.
“We oriented this so you have direct supervision … without having to rely on cameras,” he said.
Radiating out from the control pod are the most secure cells, then the medium secure cells, then dorm housing. Directly behind the control pod are isolation cells. He pointed out the stairs to a mezzanine level, where additional cells will be located.
He also indicated where mechanical systems will be housed on the outer perimeter, which can be accessed from outside the jail for security reasons and for ease in upkeep.
As required by the Department of Corrections, the jail is designed with sky lights, an indoor exercise area and two programming areas.
The current jail has an exercise area available to inmates two hours a week. The jail’s one programming room is used as a classroom during the day and for church, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, job training and other activities at night.
“That is one of our struggles right now in our current jail,” Kopp said, about the limited space for programming.
Helping inmates earn a GED is a priority for Kopp, who is hopeful the new facility will provide space for other activities, also.
“We definitely have plans to enhance our programming,” she said.
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