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Kosciusko County Jail is in need of expansion, says a report filed by H. Christian DeBruyn, of Indianapolis, one of the founding members of the Correctional Management Co.
With the population of the county projected to rise steadily in the upcoming years, it's reasonable to assume an increase in judicial activity, the report says.
It also claims that the main area of projected growth lies in the 19- to 29-year-old age bracket, which is the prime range for entering the local criminal justice system.
The report detailed the reasons the county needs a bigger jail. The top reason was the facility's overcrowded status. The report cited triple bunkings and mattresses on the floor, both of which are outside Indiana jail standards. On average, the jail houses approximately 100 prisoners, which is about 15 more than it was intended to hold.
Another reason the report cites for a larger jail is the rise in bookings. In the past 17 years, bookings have risen 104 percent to an all-time high of 3,312 for 1997. Since the "new jail" was built in 1982, only three times has the percentage of bookings declined, with the greatest decline being 8.65 percent. But the five years that followed all showed an increase. Likewise, from 1992 to 1993, there was a decrease of 3.46 percent followed by two years of rapid increase, totaling 36 percent.
In 1996, there was another decline, which, according to the trend, means either a great increase or another steady increase. Either way, continued increase in bookings will mean problems for the jail. The 1997 statistics show an increase of 5.7 percent.
Arrests for most crimes have risen slightly over the years, but the largest increases in bookings have been for driving while intoxicated, habitual traffic offenders, conversion and possession of marijuana.
Other items noted in the report included:
• Lack of space for GED classes, drug and alcohol abuse evaluation and classes, and religious services.
• Lack of space for support services, such as storage for clothing, property, evidence, food, general files and information.
The report was submitted to Kosciusko County Sheriff Al Rovenstine in November. In a few weeks the Kosciusko County Commissioners could be confronted with a decision on whether to construct a new facility or expand the existing structure, and what architect would be best to plan the jail.
There has been no estimate yet on the cost of the new jail. The Economic Development Income Tax, which has been debated for several years, might be a factor in determining the possibility of a new jail. County Council member Brad Tandy said, "If the commissioners came to us and said, 'We're building a new jail, please find the funds to support it,' we'd have to look very hard at EDIT to support that."
But, according to Ron Robinson, Director of Human Resources for the county, the jail is still in the planning stages. A report is being developed that will be presented to the Kosciusko County commissioners in March.
