Area jails reveal local shortcoming
Jennifer Brookens — Staff WriterArticle Photos
FAIRMONT - The popular argument during this election cycle for county officials is no new jail ... for now.
Yet the problems with Martin County's jail and security building are only amplified when compared to neighboring facilities.
Faribault and Blue Earth counties are scheduled to open new jails and law enforcement buildings by spring 2009. Other nearby counties - Freeborn and Nobles - recently completed new buildings or renovation projects.
These new facilities concentrate on a podular design, with jail staff able to observe all inmates in a commons area. Other attributes of these newer facilities include wide open spaces, and ways to transport inmates to courtrooms without crossing paths with the general public.
Except for Faribault County, the new facilities have combined all county and law enforcement functions: police and sheriff's offices, court administration, county attorney's office and probation under one roof.
Nobles County Jail, Worthington
Located outside of town, north of Interstate 90.
Began operations in 2002. Bed space for 104 inmates, but state limits population to 88. Average population is 54.
Staff: 20 full time, plus two administrators.
Cost: $19.6 million
This facility is normally where offenders in Martin County are sent when the local jail is overpopulated.
"Other counties send the worst of the worst over here," said Monette Berkevich, Nobles County jail administrator.
In its five to six pods, each contains about as many cells. There is no distinguishing between the inmates (except for male and female) that can be seen. However, in the master control area, the pods and inmates names are color-coded to indicate risk level.
"As you can see," Berkevich pointed out in the control room. "One over here has only green, here we have some green and yellow, and the last one over has a few red names, which are our high-risk inmates."
There are also several isolation cells, with built-in table, stool and bathroom facilities. Two of the isolation cells are fitted with independent circulation systems in case of airborne illnesses.
But not all the isolation holding cells are this nice.
"We do have a couple of holding cells for people who are acting up the moment they come in," Berkevich said.
These cells are more of a reminder of the "infamous" Martin County isolation cell (with the exception of having a toilet and sink).
"If they are refusing to give a name, or a urine test, or just not cooperating, we just put them in there and let them cool off," Berkevich said.
Nobles County is one of the few counties with a full-time nurse.
"We deal with a lot of people that are mentally ill or chemical dependent," Berkevich said. "If we have an inmate that's on too many meds, or doesn't have a current prescription, or taking a mix of meds, we have to wean them. But we also have others that aren't taking their prescribed meds, and once they are back on their prescription dosage, they're OK in a few days."
Another point jails attempt to concentrate on is working with the inmates for re-entry into society with classrooms dedicated to cognitive skills and treatments. That includes helping them make doctor's appointments for when they get out, getting them signed up for treatment, even lining up jobs.
"We do what we can to ensure this person is on the right track," Berkevich said. "We do what we can with the time we have."
Freeborn County Jail, Albert Lea
Located in town, underwent renovations and additions, completed in 2004.
Bed space for 174 inmates, but state limits population to 130. Average population is 65.
Staff: 27 full time, plus two or three administrators.
Cost: $35 million.
Walking into the front lobby, the building looks more like a hotel than a police station. There is even a "Freeborn County Bed and Breakfast" T-shirt available for sale. But the jail area is entirely different. At the booking desk, a group of holding cells with plexiglass walls face the walkway, meaning the jailers behind the desk are being observed by the inmates in the holding cells.
"You get used to it," said Marcellino Pena, assistant jail administrator at Freeborn County.
With the renovations, Pena has found ways to make the jail into a money-making business.
"We do contract housing with other jails," he said. "It also includes for inmates being transported, and it brings in revenue."
In the booking and holding unit, there are six isolation cells, including a few that can hold a small group of people.
Once in the main part of the jail, there are three pods: general population, female and work release.
"Work release has their own locker room where they can change in and out of work clothes, and we even have a coin-operated washer and dryer," Pena said.
The three pods have a "college dormhouse" feel to them. While the general population pod has numerous individual cells, the women's and work release pods both have an upper level with rows of bunk beds.
One thing Freeborn County officials are most proud of is the classroom successes.
"I could use a second classroom this size," said Jean Jasperson, who helps manage the programs at the jail.
The classes include English and Spanish Bible studies, musical ministry, aftercare, anger management, AA, job skills, teen challenge and art classes.
"We've had several success stories come out of here," Jasperson said. "I've even had some inmates call me or come back after they're out to thank us."
Blue Earth County Jail, Mankato
Currently under construction, estimated opening April 2009.
Located on edge of shopping district.
Bed space for 150, with possible expansion to 200.
Current jail population average: 75.
Staff: 28 full-time jailers. (Current staff: 20, but only 8 more with double the bed space.)
Cost: $43 million.
This impressive project is not only the size, technology, and design, but that the county managed to save the money ahead of time.
"The county knew this was going to be a need, so about 15 years prior they began planning and saving," said Capt. Paul Bogenschutz of Blue Earth County. "So far, we're not over budget, and it's all paid for."
The building is "green," according to Bogenschutz. Skylights figure prominently throughout the building.
"Just about each jail cell has one little window that can bring in some outside light," Bogenschutz said.
The heating of the facility is geo-thermal, and the carpet being used in the upstairs offices and courtrooms is made from recycled pop bottles.
There is one area dedicated to several isolation cells, including some which could hold up to seven or eight people.
"The riots we had at MSU back in 2003 made us realize we would have a use for these," Bogenschutz said.
Faribault County Jail, Blue Earth
Currently under construction, opening in spring or summer 2009.
Bed space for 60.
Average jail population: 18.
Current staff: Eight full-time jailers/dispatchers. (Upon operation, will require five full-time jailers.)
Cost: $11.6 million.
Like the Freeborn County Jail, the Faribault County facility will have two general population pods, one women's pod and one for work release inmates. The work release pod will have a separate hallway and door, separating them from other prisoners and reducing chances for contraband.
However, the inmates will still need to be transported to the courthouse for hearings.
