Douglas County corrections director reports steady jail population, highlights pretrial releases and audits

Michael Myers, Douglas County director of corrections, told the Board of Corrections on May 12 that the department finished the 10th month of the fiscal year $601,976 under budget and spent $274,896 on overtime in April. He reported 15 officers began academy training April 20 and said the county is "103% staffed among all correctional officer ranks."

Myers said community corrections and re-entry programs admitted dozens of people in April: 14 to work release, 54 to house arrest and 22 to the re-entry assistance program (RAP). He said 81 people were in therapeutic community housing units, three individuals achieved GEDs and 34 received substance use disorder evaluations. On supervision, he reported 246 individuals were placed on pretrial release in April and "a total of 1,608 individuals were supervised over the course of the month," which he characterized as at least a 12‑month high.

"I'm pleased to say that 100% of all individuals on pre-trial release remained free of any violent offense during April," Myers said, and he noted 99.2% of those on pretrial release remained arrest-free during the month. Myers also reported that GPS monitoring theoretically saved 4,532 jail bed days in April, which he said translates to a theoretical detention-cost savings of $770,440.

Myers reviewed audits and compliance work: PREA (prison rape elimination) audit data have been submitted and were described as satisfactory; the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare (NCCHC) completed its May 6–8 audit and provided largely complimentary observations; and an American Correctional Association (ACA) audit is scheduled for late October. Myers said the department will submit required documentation and expects re-accreditation.

On population measures, Myers reported 1,338 admissions and 1,336 releases in April, a high count of 1,143, a low count of 1,071 and an average daily population of 1,092 (an increase of two from the previous month). He said the average length of stay for released inmates in April was 25.33 days, down from a recent average of about 30–31 days. Demographically, Myers said 65% of the population were minorities and 16% female; 21% were homeless or nearly homeless.

During board questions, Commissioner Cavanaugh asked whether the 51.6% of inmates released within 72 hours included pretrial releases; Myers confirmed the monthly release figures include pretrial releases and explained how assessment-driven program placements work. Cavanaugh also pressed on where people go after a substance use disorder evaluation; Myers said the evaluation determines level of care and that placement decisions are driven by the court and the individual’s attorney, and that Nebraska requires an evaluation to determine eligibility for paid treatment.

The Board approved routine Corrections minutes and adjourned the Corrections session by unanimous votes during the meeting.