Douglas County corrections director reports staffing gains, record pretrial savings and rising medical caseload

Michael Myers, director of corrections for Douglas County, briefed the Board of Corrections on July 22 with monthly metrics showing staffing gains, record pretrial-supervision savings and a notable increase in inmates with complex medical and mental-health needs.

Myers reported the department finished the fiscal year $13,733 under budget. Overtime costs for June were $256,508 (about $55,000 less than the previous month). Bond payments processed by the records division totaled $870,000 for the month. Myers said the corrections workforce saw seven departures below the rank of sergeant during June, including one retirement, and that the department was 99% staffed among correctional officer ranks as of June 30.

Population and pretrial figures: the department recorded 1,313 admissions, 1,297 releases, and an average daily population of 1,105 in June (a month-over-month increase of 34). The average length of stay for inmates released in June was 27 days; 52% of inmates remained longer than 72 hours (average 51 days for that group) while 48% were released within 72 hours (average 1.3 days). Myers said the pretrial supervision…