Draft study: Lincoln County jail operating over capacity, consultant warns of safety and ADA risks

A preliminary jail-capacity study presented to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on April 29 found the county’s jail is operating beyond safe and recommended levels, creating liability and life‑safety concerns and limiting the facility’s ability to classify and separate inmates.

Rich Sitins, owner and security consultant with RS Security LLC, told commissioners he and his team reviewed floor plans, took measurements and compared the facility to national (ACA) and Montana standards. Sitins said the county’s website lists a facility capacity of 29 beds, but his measurements and standards comparison show the facility’s rated, emergency and operational capacities differ: under current ACA standards a recommended operational capacity would be about 11–12 beds, a rated capacity roughly 15, and an emergency capacity near 20; Montana standards provide somewhat more leeway but the consultant said the facility still falls short of best-practice operational capacity. The sheriff and staff said average daily population over recent months has been about 32 people.

Sitins identified multiple deficiencies: many original cell doors have been removed, producing dormitory-style housing that prevents secure classification and lockdown; intake and movement occur through co-mingled corridors; there is no secure sally port for transfers; blind spots and spotty fire-protection features were noted; door and communications systems are largely manual rather than electronic; and there is no adequate space for medical screening or private health assessments, which raises HIPAA and safety concerns. The consultant said these conditions increase the county’s exposure to legal risk and limit safe operations during routine and emergency periods.

Commissioners and the sheriff acknowledged the findings and agreed to schedule a longer in-person presentation so the consultant can provide detailed cost and design options. Sitins warned that even with steady progress a renovation or replacement project can take years—he cited a neighboring county’s multi-decade process as an example—and that early planning will save costs over time.

Next steps: RS Security will finalize the report, the county will schedule an in-person presentation, and commissioners will begin planning for either renovation or replacement options and consider long-term population projections.