Douglas County corrections director reports steady jail population, staffing above 100% and ongoing audits

Michael Myers, director of corrections for Douglas County, told the Board of Corrections on May 12 that the jail’s average daily population for April was 1,092 and the department was $61,976 under budget following the 10th month of the fiscal year.

Myers also reported that staffing among correctional officer ranks was at roughly 103%, 15 officers began academy training April 20 and the department spent $274,896 on overtime in April. "Following the 10th month of the fiscal year, we are $61,976 under budget," Myers said.

Why it matters: steady population and higher staffing levels can affect overtime costs, program delivery and bed-space planning. Myers reported program and re-entry activity for April, including work release (14 admitted), house arrest (54 admitted), the RAP re-entry assistance program (22 admitted) and 81 admissions to therapeutic community housing units.

Myers gave additional operational details: 1,338 admissions and 1,336 releases in April, a high count of 1,143, a low of 1,071, and an overall average length of stay for released inmates of 25.33 days. He said 51.6% of inmates were released within 72 hours (average 1.3 days) and 48.4% stayed longer than 72 hours (average 50.9 days).

The director described medical and behavioral-health activity that month: 1,058 intake screenings, 349 physical assessments, seven hospital admissions totaling 27 hospital bed days, 104 initial psychiatric assessments, 449 initial mental-health assessments and 100 individuals placed on suicide precautions. Myers also reported 622 participants in the 24/7 sobriety program and 149 people supervised via GPS, which he said "theoretically" saved 4,532 jail bed days and about $770,440 in detention costs.

Myers briefed the board on recent audits and accreditation work. He said the prison rape elimination audit results have been submitted and are now satisfactory, and a National Commission on Correctional Healthcare audit took place May 6–8. "We will hear about the outcome of that officially in a few months," he said, and he noted the American Correctional Association audit is scheduled for late October.

Commissioners pressed for clarification on rehabilitative programming and the substance use evaluation process. Commissioner Kavanagh asked what happens after a substance-use evaluation; Myers said the evaluation determines the level of care and that subsequent placement is driven by courts and defense attorneys. On demographics, Myers said 65% of the population were minorities, 16% female, and about 21% homeless or nearly homeless.

Myers said the department is finalizing the FY27 budget and will present it to the board. No formal policy changes or votes on corrections programs were taken at the meeting; the Board of Corrections adjourned after the presentation.