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Sheriff reports declining jail population, highlights mental-health and work-release programs
Summary
Sheriff's annual jail inspection report showed the jail population has fallen compared with seven years ago; presenters credited Department of Corrections processing changes and local partner programs, and they highlighted expanding work-release revenue and mental-health services.
The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office told commissioners on April 7 that the county jail population has fallen substantially over the past seven years and that the facility passed its annual inspection with no major findings.
Sheriff’s Office staff presented the annual jail inspection and said the facility’s population is holding around 208–212 inmates. The sheriff credited recent Department of Corrections restructuring for speeding inmate processing and reducing the local population. “Our overall intake has reduced over the past seven years quite a bit,” the presenter said.
The sheriff and commissioners discussed the jail’s mental-health services at length. Commission members praised the jail’s partnership-driven approach to behavioral-health care and addiction services. One commissioner said the report’s page on health services “is probably the biggest change” and commended staff for initiatives addressing addiction.
Staff also described the local work-release and community-corrections (CC) programs that allow eligible inmates to work, pay child support and contribute to county operations. The sheriff said the work-release program “has grown substantially over the past couple years” and generates revenue that helps sustain community programs.
The inspection and annual report were provided to the state, the circuit court and the county commission; staff said the report is advisory and does not require a formal vote. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the jail’s partnerships and for maintaining programs that reduce jail population pressure.
Ending: The commission accepted the jail inspection report as presented; staff will continue to monitor population and program metrics and report back as needed.
