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Sheriff reports higher call volume, steady jail population and ICE detainees; federal per-diem noted at $104
Summary
Sheriff Joel Merri told commissioners calls are up about 5% year-to-date, that the county jail population is slightly above average and that the facility still houses ICE detainees paid at $104 per day under existing arrangements.
Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merri reported to commissioners on March and year-to-date operations on April 15, saying the department’s call volume is running "a little bit high" this year and that jail and corrections populations have edged up.
Merri told the board calls in March were higher than prior months and that overall the county is up roughly 5% compared with two years ago. He said the corrections average daily population (ADP) is about 29 inmates — “a couple over our average” — and the Two Bridges facility is running near capacity at about 180 beds. Merri said that facility's federal-marshal inmate numbers had declined while ICE detainees had risen to about 23.
On federal detainee pay, Merri said the county currently receives $104 per day under the existing agreement and that federal contract rates are set with reference to local cost-of-living; he noted Cumberland County, nearer Portland, receives higher federal per-diem rates in recent contracts.
Merri also described outreach and equipment updates: the department has deployed radar message speed signs in several locations, including Bowdoinham, to collect speed and volume data and to inform enforcement decisions. He reported a recent $4,300 reimbursement for overtime related to a Lewiston event had been received and that the county had applied with regional partners for a first-responder wellness grant aimed at health screening and early detection for police, fire, EMS and corrections personnel.
Ending: Merri said staffing remains fluid: one deputy recently resigned for a state police position and the department is actively recruiting. Commissioners asked several clarifying questions about federal contracts and inmate classifications; Merri said, "To my knowledge, every one of them has a criminal charge," regarding the ICE detainees.
