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Corrections staff advise against blanket nighttime phone ban; commission approves some facility upgrades
Summary
County jail staff urged the commission not to enact a blanket restriction on inmate phone access after reviewing booking call patterns; commissioners approved a small facility expenditure (mezzanine strobes) and discussed juvenile facility lease negotiations and other correctional facility projects.
County correctional staff told the Grand Forks County Commission on Feb. 4 that blanket restrictions on inmate phone access between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. would create operational and public‑safety issues because a majority of overnight bookings rely on phone contact to arrange bonds, legal counsel, or childcare.
Staff findings: Corrections administrators presented recent booking‑area phone logs and video review showing that many individuals booked overnight placed multiple calls to attorneys, employers, mission staff and family to arrange release or care for dependents. Staff reported that about 63% of recent releases occurred between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and warned that preventing calls could increase holding times and jail population if family or bondsmen cannot be reached.
Policy recommendation: Corrections leadership recommended the commission avoid a blanket policy restricting overnight phone access and instead use case‑by‑case measures available to jail staff, such as blocking specific phone numbers at the request of private citizens. Staff noted the facility already provides a limited free initial call and that blocking individual numbers is feasible and typically handled rapidly.
Facility items and juvenile lease status - The commission authorized a $15,756 owner‑contingency payment to install mezzanine horn strobes in the adult correctional facility; funding to come from owner contingency (remaining balance noted in meeting: ~$44,380). - County staff briefed commissioners on juvenile detention / youth assessment center lease discussions with state officials; staff said state officials expressed urgency about the project but described remodeling the current unit as challenging. County staff said further lease negotiations and a possible executive‑session discussion of terms are forthcoming.
What the commission asked staff to do: corrections staff were told to continue existing phone‑blocking procedures for individuals who request it, prepare a standard operating summary of blocking and monitoring procedures, and return with details on juvenile lease negotiations when appropriate.
Quote (paraphrase from corrections staff): Blanket restrictions would impede the ability of many inmates to reach attorneys, family or bondsmen and could increase holding time and the jail population; targeted blocking remains an available remedy.
