Jackson County jail reports lower inmate counts, flags mental-health incidents and billing issues
Summary
The county jail reported October counts averaging 34.39 inmates per day (high of 44) and a current population of 31; officials described resource-intensive mental-health watches, intercounty billing for holds and scheduled a staffing discussion for Nov. 25.
Jackson County Jail Administrator Andrew Long told the Board of Supervisors the facility is currently housing 31 inmates — 28 males and three females — with an October high of 44 and an October daily average of 34.39. He reported $35,090 in revenue from Scott County for October and described a running total of $337,350 in revenue to date.
Long said the jail is billing other agencies when they hold out-of-county or out-of-state detainees, citing an example of a $525 bill for a parole-violation hold that the Iowa Department of Corrections is responsible for. "When a person's arrested on a parole violation ... that responsibility ... is for the Department of Corrections," Long said, adding that some agencies later quash warrants, which leaves the county to house the person without reimbursement.
Long also reported several incidents involving inmates with mental-health conditions, including extended suicide watches that require extra staff time and attention. He said the county will postpone a staffing discussion until a Nov. 25 meeting to consider proposed staffing changes and options.
