Sheriff and Warden report staffing shortfalls, substance-use patterns and new suicide-watch monitoring at county jail

Warden Ross Castleton reported the Lincoln County Detention Center was operating short-staffed by "approximately six officers" and currently had two maintenance and two lieutenant positions open. He told the Commission the facility averages about 70 detainees with 125–130 intakes each month and provided intake substance-test breakdowns: "alcohol was the most common positive substance at 38%, marijuana was about 37%, methamphetamines were approximately 20%, and opioids were around 8%." He said many intakes have multiple substances, estimating "roughly 90% of intakes had some involvement with substances." Warden Castleton described ongoing recruitment efforts (radio advertising, job fairs) and said certain positions were a difficult fit for applicants.

Castleton outlined recent operational improvements including upgrades to the detainee phone system to reduce three‑way calls, a background‑blurring system for video, an ADA compliance system for hearing‑impaired detainees and an Integrity Life Detection System installed in three cells to monitor vital signs for suicide watch and raise alarms for concerning readings. He said staff training was up to date and firearms instruction was scheduled for June. On capital planning, Castleton identified aging HVAC systems, expensive washers needing replacement and roof monitoring as items to include in long‑term planning. Commissioners later requested more detailed audits and visibility into detention center expenditures, medical costs and housing‑revenue shortfalls.