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Corrections director reports jail near capacity, long competency-evaluation waits
Summary
Brad Johnson reported an average daily population of 658.9 (about 99% capacity), rising bookings, competency-evaluation waits reaching 94 days and plans for Region V system work; the department was approved for a facility dog.
Brad Johnson, Director of Lancaster County Corrections, told the Board that first-quarter jail metrics show the average daily population at 658.9, roughly 99% of operational capacity, and described a near-term uptick in bookings.
Johnson reported 776 felony arrests and 1,461 misdemeanors during the quarter, with 66 individuals sentenced on felony cases and 91 on misdemeanors. He said conditional-release caseloads remain high, averaging nearly 50, and that 638 individuals were in custody on April 30.
The director raised concerns about placement delays for individuals awaiting competency evaluations at the Regional Center, saying waits have reached 94 days and that 76 cumulative waiting-days remain among those still in custody. He said Region V is planning an intercept-mapping conference at the end of June and early July to address these bottlenecks.
Johnson also noted a recent spike in community-hospital admissions, a rise in female-population numbers requiring additional out-of-county housing as needed, and the department’s approval to host a facility dog with staff training scheduled to begin in June. He described ongoing efforts to expand rehabilitative programming, staff-wellness initiatives and peer-support services. Commissioners discussed expectations for an upcoming transitional-housing project intended to reduce crisis-driven bookings and support reentry.
