Belknap County corrections superintendent warns staffing, revenue pressure as jail population shifts

Michelle Leatherby, the county corrections superintendent, told the Belknap County commissioners the jail’s in‑custody population stood at 76, including 63 pretrial detainees and 13 sentenced inmates. She said the high share of pretrial cases reduces work‑release and electronic‑monitoring revenue that historically offsets parts of the corrections budget.

Leatherby described program participation numbers: three inmates on electronic monitoring, two on work release, three in a full “core” program, six voluntarily participating on the pretrial side and 44 accepted to external rehabilitation programs. She said many pretrial defendants are being supervised in the community — about 119 clients supervised by two pretrial staff — which prevents the facility from being “bursting at the seams.”

On staffing, Leatherby said four corrections positions remained open and hiring has been difficult; she reported making 11 offers in the past that many applicants failed background checks or physical tests. She noted three officers are scheduled for a revamped corrections academy but she plans to delay sending them until the updated training is available.

Leatherby also highlighted equipment and capital needs. The jail’s radios are aging and failing — failing to charge, broken antennas and clips — and individual units cost about $1,800 to $2,400. She said the department has tested both Kenwood and Motorola units, has been negotiating with vendors since February, and is exploring grant options before committing to a purchase. Her goal is to place a final order by October but she said medical and other budget pressures could change timing.

Leatherby warned of a possible large medical expense after disclosing that a pretrial inmate requires chemotherapy and radiation. She said the municipal prosecutor did not agree to amend bail and that she is working with the inmate’s attorney and the courts to seek a bail change. Leatherby said housing and transporting the inmate for daily treatment would be difficult and that any cost to the county could appear in the September budget outlook.

The commission asked several clarifying questions about vendor preferences and the physical‑fitness test for applicants. Commissioners and staff discussed whether available surplus or budget transfers could be used to accelerate radio purchases; staff said surplus exists in the department but cautioned against depleting reserves needed elsewhere in the county budget.

Leatherby said the department is finalizing policy updates, a new camera platform and training for a recently arrived body scanner, and plans to present revised policies and fire‑drill procedures at a future meeting.