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Jail officials cite staffing strain and say new facility will improve classification, programming and mental-health care
Summary
Jail staff reported recent resignations and vacancies, described training timelines (juvenile ~4 weeks, Mid-State 5-week certification), and said a planned new facility will improve classification, programming and officer safety and add dedicated mental-health and medical areas.
Jail staff told the Public Safety Committee that staffing remains a primary challenge, noting a recent resignation of a first-line supervisor (Corporal Dan Baratka) who left for higher pay elsewhere. Staff listed recent hires and trainees who are moving through field training and background checks and said the vacancies will be filled as promotions and hires are completed.
On training, staff said timelines vary by assignment: juvenile detention training is shorter (about four weeks), while the adult side can take up to twice that. They added that staff typically send people to Mid-State for a five-week certification course to become Wisconsin state jailers.
Staff described a planned reorganization tied to a new facility that will shuffle some titles (a lieutenant position was already implemented), with the goal of completing the reorganization by the end of the year for implementation in 2027. Officials said the new facility’s improved classification space, programming areas and dedicated mental-health and medical units should reduce the need to transfer people to Waupaca and should improve officer safety.
The committee discussed higher recent confinement numbers and how the new facility could help address classification, programming and mental-health needs.
