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County approves jail mutual‑use agreement and new inmate communications contract; corrections reports lower ADP and medical changes
Summary
The board approved an interlocal jail mutual‑use agreement with Benton County and a contract with Consolidated Telecommunications for inmate communications, and received corrections updates showing average daily population declines, selection of Aspen IV Medical, and staff and equipment changes.
Walla Walla County commissioners voted Jan. 5 to approve two actions aimed at strengthening corrections operations and reducing service gaps.
Director Steve Parker described a mutual‑use agreement with Benton County that will allow the counties to transfer or house inmates when conflicts (for example, staff family relationships) or capacity issues arise; the board voted 3–0 to approve the interlocal agreement. Parker said a similar agreement with Franklin County is in the works.
The board also approved entering a contract with Consolidated Telecommunications (CTEL) to replace the county’s expiring communications provider, Securus. Parker told the board the vendor selection followed an RFP process and the county and prosecuting attorney’s office chose CTEL because it specializes in jail communications and offers features tailored to jails (tablets, voice recognition, in‑custody media). Commissioners clarified that costs are borne by users (inmates) through user fees rather than by the county, and that calls and tablet activity will be recorded and monitored per existing practice.
Parker also briefed commissioners on operations: the jail’s average daily population dropped from 94 to 82 since November (with further reductions expected), 14 people were in Eastern State Hospital this period and several transports were made to other counties; Aspen IV Medical was selected for jail medical services and staff reported improved medication‑distribution efficiencies. Corrections reported overtime reductions compared with the prior month and that health‑sensor devices were being installed for monitoring. Staffing levels were reported as near full for correction officers, with vacancies limited to certain supervisory posts and temporary leaves.
Both motions carried 3–0. Commissioners asked follow‑up questions about monitoring, equipment transition from the prior vendor and the policy review process for new medical and monitoring devices.
