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Douglas County corrections director reports staffing gains, reentry outcomes and pretrial metrics; mental-health unit planned for late 2026
Summary
Director Michael Myers presented a detailed January 2026 report: the jail reported improved staffing with 26 cadets beginning training, increased overtime tied to three pay periods, reentry placements that saved jail bed days, pretrial release metrics showing high compliance rates, and ongoing audits; Myers said a new mental-health unit is planned to open in late 2026.
Michael Myers, Douglas County director of corrections, presented the department's January 2026 report to the Board of Corrections and the Board of Commissioners. Myers said the department is operating under budget but cautioned that upcoming expenditures will reduce the surplus; he highlighted staffing gains, training and program activity.
Myers reported that 26 cadets began academy training on Jan. 5, several officers left in January and that 6 officers below sergeant and one sergeant left during the month. He said the department spent $499,735 on overtime in January, which he attributed in part to the month containing three pay periods. Reentry and community corrections placements included 12 individuals in community corrections (saving 69 jail bed days), 19 admitted to work release, 57 to house arrest and 20 to the Reentry Assistance Program (RAP). Myers said therapeutic community housing admitted 81 people and the GED wait list included 146 people with 58 active students.
On pretrial services, Myers reported 225 individuals were placed on pretrial release in January and that 1,571 individuals were supervised on pretrial release during the month; he said 99.27% of people on pretrial release remained arrest-free and 99.63% remained free of violent offenses. Myers said some data remain provisional as the department integrates a new pretrial software system and continues to validate historical records.
Myers discussed compliance work: a PREA audit was held in December and the department is responding to requests for additional documentation; the NCCHC audit is likely in May or June and the ACA audit is anticipated in October. He also described security deployments (CERT and emergency response team activity), medical and mental-health metrics (including psychiatric assessments, hospital admissions and use of Narcan) and staff development initiatives such as a blended supervisory leadership course and the tactical athlete program (TAP).
Commissioners asked follow-up questions about PREA reporting, leadership training options and a rise in the share of people listed as homeless; Myers said final audit reports will follow once documentation is submitted, and staff can run further reports to examine charge and population trends. Myers also said operational planning has begun for a mental-health unit expected to open in late 2026, and that the department will fill two captain-level vacancies this month.
The Board of Corrections adjourned after the report and the commissioners reconvened.
