Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Jail Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Jail administrator outlines population and finances, says Starlink backup has tested well
Summary
Pittsburg County jail administrator Jeff Daniels presented the March 2026 jail snapshot to commissioners on April 13, and described use of an Emergency Management Starlink as backup communications. The report included population, revenue and per‑diem figures and noted ongoing facility repairs and staffing updates.
Jeff Daniels, the Pittsburg County jail administrator, told the Board of County Commissioners at its April 13 meeting that the jail is using an Emergency Management Starlink connection as a backup for internet and phone services and that the system "worked well" when tested.
Daniels presented the jail's March 2026 snapshot, reporting an average daily population of 151 and detailed the facility's revenue and costs. The report lists total revenue of $333,143 for the period and a cost per inmate‑day of $64.11, with revenue per day shown as $74.03 and a reported net gain figure in the packet. Daniels told commissioners that judges must consult with the sheriff before capping incarceration fees and that a per‑diem increase to $65 was under way in related contracts and billing information provided in the monthly report.
The jail administrator also gave updates on repairs and staffing: containment glass in pods C, E, H and part of G has been replaced and additional installation work was scheduled; Daniels said he is a certified detention officer trainer and described recent hires and academy attendance for detention staff. On communications, Daniels said the Sheriff's Office had used a Starlink provided by Emergency Management as a backup and had discussed commercial options with vendors; he reported that one vendor recommended Vyve for a separate backup internet service, and he described continuing trouble with VIP Voice phone lines.
"We are using the Starlink from Emergency Management as backup," Daniels said. "We have tested it, and it worked well." He added that the mirrored glass has improved communication between pods.
The board did not take formal action on replacing the county‑wide phone or internet vendor during the meeting. Commissioners approved the jail administrator's monthly report as part of the packet of monthly reports and fiscal transactions presented that day. The minutes show no motion to change current service providers at that meeting.
