Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Burleigh looks at jail options

Burleigh looks at jail options

Dec 03, 2008 - 04:05:27 CST

By LEANN ECKROTH
Bismarck Tribune

Cramped quarters prompted Burleigh County commissioners to weigh the expansion of the county correctional facility on Monday.

The board was warned that expanding the Burleigh County Detention Center is needed because the number of inmates exceeds available space by as much as 100 inmates.

A committee will be assigned to study the housing needs of the inmates, including Commissioner Jim Peluson, County Finance Director Clyde Thompson and Sheriff Pat Heinert. When the full board is present at the Dec. 15 meeting, it will decide if Commissioner Jerry Woodcox or Commissioner Doug Schonert will serve on the committee.

Heinert said he also is drafting a letter to Mayor John Warford asking if Bismarck Police Chief Keith Witt and a city commissioner will join.

While Heinert said the county has been creative in housing and supervising prisoners, most of the options prove costly.

County, school, park board and city officials brought up the local jail project during a recent joint tax meeting in November, according to Schonert.

Commissioners discussed that it might be ideal to stagger major projects, somehow, between the entities to avoid a large burden on local taxpayers. This includes the jail facility.

"We are at the point where we are going to need jail expansion," said Schonert. "Whether that means building a new jail, expanding the jail we have or at one point the penitentiary talked about building a new penitentiary. There was some interest we could share in that."

Schonert said he envisions some type of expansion being planned for 2010.

"I received a positive consensus from that group that we are in need of a jail," said Schonert.

"Part of the purpose of the meeting is we don't want to hit the taxpayers of Burleigh County all at once," said Commissioner Mark Armstrong. "There might be need for a school, a fire station, or parks and recreation might have some capital project ... We'll meet in February again to set up a master plan to stagger these projects; so if we do have to do them, where is the funding coming from and how we can have a master calendar."

"Our jail population has been growing consistently for the last several years," Schonert said. "As our population grows, so does that population. Visiting with the sheriff, we're at full capacity and above." Schonert said the county houses prisoners outside the detention center when overcrowding occurs, but it is costly.

Heinert said the committee would need to study how many beds were needed. "We'll have to look at the statistics for the last 10 years and look at how we've increased in those 10 years and project that out.

"If we are going to build a facility, we are going to have to build it for at least 25 to 30 years into the future," Heinert said.

He added the female population is growing. "That is becoming a huge concern for us," Heinert said. "We have limited space in the building where we can put them, where we stay in the state guidelines for sight and sound from the male population."

Heinert said February marks the 18th year they have occupied the present Burleigh County Detention Center.

"When we built this building, it appeared we should have 25 good years. Eighteen years and we're full considerably. This is a 138-facility. We need in the area of another 100 beds right now."

Heinert said options may include building on to the existing building or building somewhere else on other property outside the city or along the edge of the city.

The 138 beds are divided up into different cell blocks of between one and 10. These include dormitory-style, security-style and some are segregated.

"Federal guidelines and jail guidelines call for 80 percent being considered full, which is 110 inmates," Heinert told the commission. "Currently, we are at 126 average daily population for 2008."

He said those figures exclude a program that allows some inmates to be released early for good behavior.

"In the last three years, numbers indicate we are growing," Heinert said.

He said the number of inmates serving on the weekends has increased. On average between 12 and 16 serve their sentences this way. "I suspect that is because people who are getting sentenced are asking for that, so they don't interfere with their occupations," Heinert said. "It causes some 'headaches' and overcrowding."

To date in 2008, he estimated there has been $34,000 spent for housing prisoners outside the detention facility.

Sites used for outside housing include the Bismarck Transitional Center at a rate of $50 per day, Morton County at $60 per day and Mercer County at $60 per day.

Heinert also is negotiating a contract with McLean County when their new jail opens.

He said the numbers merit some type of expansion.

Armstrong asked if the sheriff's department was using shackles and GPS systems with some individuals to ease the space issues.

Heinert said they are using them, but are working with judges to ensure the sentencing is in sync with the right protocol of those monitored.

(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

Youn and Energetic wrote on Dec 11, 2008 9:47 AM:

" The jail that was constructed in the 1990's cost approximately $4 million dollars to build. Almost $1 million has been spent already this year on a control room update and visitation alterations that was proposed by Sheriff Heinert. by comparison it looks like a new jail will be around $15 million dollars or more. I say that there should be a spending freeze on Heinert regarding the jail until there is a future plan put in place. Sounds like a lot of tax dollars could go to waist on addional updates that may not be necessary immediately and it appears that the county commission has given Heinert and open check book. "

Linda to Lisa wrote on Dec 10, 2008 10:52 PM:

" Actually there have been quite a few constructive suggestions in this blogging regarding jail expansion. One suggested a new jail with televised court appearances or with a courtroom built in the new jail itself to cut down on transportation of inmates. Also using the current jail - if a new one is built - for much needed space by various agencies in the courthouse. And looking at a 50-yr. plan versus a 25-yr. plan. One blog suggested expanding the current jail onto an empty lot across the street with a crosswalk to the jail; another mentioned possibly using space at the penn, and so forth. So to label these bloggers as close-minded may be a bit premature on your part. These people are rightly concerned about the immense dollars that were paid out in the early 90's to build a jail that unfortunately was sufficient for only 15 years. And they, like me, are also concerned since they will be required so soon once again to pay out very large dollars from their pocket books to build yet another jail. Their frustration is understandable. These are financially tough times. "

OldAndTired wrote on Dec 10, 2008 6:36 PM:

" Well, I put the keywords Burleigh County Jail 750,000 in a search engine and this is what I found. Control Room upgrade, eight extra bunks, twice as many people able to visit by using monitors. Sounds like better security and a savings on staff time.
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2008/10/06/news/topnews/166122.txt
But I read that County Jail inmates spend most of their time in their cells and they liked getting further away in the old visiting method?
Most inmates I have talked with in State Prisons in other states say they would rather do 2 years in a State Prison than 1 year in a County Jail.
State Prisons have Jobs and educational programs. Academic Education, Vocational Education, and Factory Jobs. Yards with baseball diamonds and basketball courts are common. Recreational Rooms and TV rooms were standard. Game tables in the yard and a gym which also usually serves as a movie theater on saturday night.

One method of modern county jail construction is large dorms. Extra room can be built for less money. My experience in State Prisons, in another state, is to dislike dorms. Everyone wants to save money so a minimum number of officers are normal, particularly between 11pm and 7am that are normal sleeping hours.
When there has been a fight in the evening the dorm inmates do not sleep well. At the 2am count you see many of them peaking out at you from under the covers as you walk by the foot of the bed. Once they posted sentries in the bathroom watching the dorm themselves. The officer having two dorms to watch could only be there 50 percent of the night.
Basically they were keeping the peace themselves through the night until morning when the upper staff could come in with enough people to begin running interviews and figure out who to transfer.

I have developed a bias against old fashioned cellblocks and some modern dorms. I would like to tour a county jail. This one sounds well designed and managed. "

Lisa wrote on Dec 10, 2008 6:34 PM:

" I worked for Burleigh Co in the mid-90's when Harvey, Heinert and Berg were all working together. During that time the county added floors to the jail and if memory serves me correctly, the county did not go with the lowest bidder for the job. I also remember the bids being inflated because it was for a gov't project. For those of you that are so up in arms about spending taxpayer money and who definitely have an opinion about how this should be done, maybe you should attend the commission meeting and speak your mind. Maybe if there weren't so many closed-minded, rude people in Bismarck, there could be some constructive discussions about what to do. "

Mike wrote on Dec 10, 2008 5:04 PM:

" To Jim - My thoughts exactly! Why were three quarters of a million dollars put into the jails control room when the decision of whether to build a new jail was staring the commissioners and Sheriff Heinert in the face? It doesn't make financial sense. It is also of great concern to me that Heinert will very likely have the most say in the planning of a new jail. Ask a burleigh jail officer how often Sheriff Heinert has made an appearance in the jail in the two years he's been office. The reply will reflect very poorly on Heinert. Yet unfortunately the sheriff who is greatly lacking in connectivity with the jail and its officers will be the one to have the greatest influence in setting up the new jail. "

VOTE HEINERT OUT wrote on Dec 10, 2008 5:03 PM:

" LETS GET A SHERIFF BACK IN TO THE SEAT SO THIS WILL BE DONE THE RIGHT WAY. PAT IS OUT OF HIS ELEMENT. HANG IT UP. MOVE ON. COLLECT YOUR RETIREMENT AS YOU PLAN TO DO AND LEAVE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY ALONE... "

Jim wrote on Dec 10, 2008 3:08 PM:

" To build it - I agree that some of the old buildings should be torn down in the middle of Bismarck and more work should be done at attracting more businesses. And as far as the jail, It may not be the answer to build and build big yet if other alternatives are being used which our sheriff and other law enforcement should be bringing forward first. As a citizen I feel entitled to how my tax dollars are being spent and what for and why is it so easy for sheriff Heinert to get $750,000.00 for a control room update in the jail when the control room was functional? I didn't hear that the control room caught fire or nothing was working in it. Now were're talking possibly millions of dollars more for expanding or building a new jail. Can't tell me that we couldn't have lived without the huge expense on the control room before at least deciding on whether this jail was going to be expanded or scrapped. This was only a few months ago and now, "Oh yes we need millions more of your tax dollars for the jail". Is our county government and sheriff flying by the seat of their pants or are they truely doing what they were elected to do? "

OldAndTired wrote on Dec 10, 2008 1:28 PM:

" The only thing more expensive than deputies, police, ambulance, jails and hospitals is not having any of them.
If all vehicles had speed governors we would all save tax dollars in reduced accidents and smaller jails.
We need creative modern thinking. Outlaw alcohol and cigarettes and lives would be saved.
Freedom is far too expensive. Way to many people cannot handle freedom.

If we get rid of all the squad cars and ambulances we could afford a few helicopters. A large magnet on a cable could pick up the cars of drunk drivers and set them down inside a walled area. In the morning volunteers could go feed them.
Anyone passing a breathalyzer test would be permitted to walk out the gate.

Probably a flaw or two here. Someone weaving down the road as seen by a chopper might be having a stroke or diabetic problem. I guess we will always need someone to go look and talk in person. Why would anyone want that job? People crash and die all the time. People commit crime all the time. It sounds like that Illinois Governor has stolen more than anyone in our jails and he is out on bail?
Why is this subject so confusing? "

Build_it wrote on Dec 10, 2008 5:45 AM:

" Jim, whats the difference between the Sheriff's running with lights and sirens from that area and Metro Ambulance running lights and siren from the hospital when they get an emergency call?? I also remember several Bismarck city police have had many accidents around town, not just the sheriffs. That comes down to people need to get out of the way and give the right away to emergency vehicles. As far as the downtown "historical buildings", I have seen the court house and the jail many times and to be honest I had no idea the jail was even there until someone pointed it out to me. What Bismarck needs to do is level some of the old junked out buildings and get businesses moving back into downtown instead of North of town. As far as a new jail, build it and build it big. The Fed Gov. is gonna break me anyway with all the bailouts and I would rather see my money go for something good for once. "If you build it, they will come". To all the Heinert nay sayers, I think he is doing a great job and is making the best out of a bad situation. "

JP wrote on Dec 10, 2008 1:32 AM:

" If the state would build on a new site... couldn't the county take over some of the current buildings of the state pen? Time for the county reps to earn the votes and lobby for a new state prison! "

Jim wrote on Dec 9, 2008 5:45 PM:

" This jail thing is definately going to be a huge burden on the tax payers because as I see it by reading the posts it appears that a new jail will probably have to be built someplace other than downtown because it looks like the city wasn't set up for it in the first place. Downtown should be an appealing place for residents and visitors and Bismarck has a lot of historic buildings downtown. I don't think there will be much of a draw for visitors or others when all you have to see for several blocks is an ugly jail and parking ramps because you need parking for jailers, workers and patrol squads. I've witnessed many a time when several patrol cars and undercover cars speed out of the courthouse parking lot at the same time with lights and sirens to respond to something probably that happening out of town. Does this make sense to have Sheriffs running code through the city to get to where they need to go. I remember when one sheriff's squad cause an accident and got totaled out as well as the citizen vehicle. This same officers caused several accidents with a squad car. "

Young and Energetic wrote on Dec 9, 2008 9:23 AM:

" I have to agree with Joe not the plumber when he infers that the new jail was moreless built by Bob Harvey's specifications and the way he wanted it. The Sheriff has a tremendous amount of say on how a jail should be built and it should be that way and Bob Harvey had his chance to do it right the first go around and fell short. This may have been because of ego or thinking he was doing what he thought should be done in his own mind. His thinking unfortunately was more present time at the time instead of futuristic or for the generations to come. Unfortunately it's catch up time and this project can't wait until several years into the future before it gets off the ground and with our current sheriff it may take awhile before there's even a blueprint. The Comprehensive Plan for the County has been stalled for two years because of politics and lack of cooperation and I don't see this issue being any different. Lets learn from our past mistakes and use some wisdom this time. "

To Old and Tired wrote on Dec 8, 2008 9:22 PM:

" Actually, no. The jail does not need to be physically close to the courthouse. Yes, there would be additional dollars spent transporting inmates to and from court, yet, that is not a primary reason to build onto the existing jail since in the long run, building onto the jail is like throwing away money. And nowadays with improved technology the larger jails are utilizing interactive televised court hearings which improves safety and security for the inmates, the officers, and the judges. Also, jails built off-site from the courthouse usually have a courtroom set up for judges to use for inmates appearances. "

OldAndTired wrote on Dec 8, 2008 7:16 PM:

" This site says the Burleigh County Jail was first built out of logs in 1875. It sounds to me like a big waste of money.
http://www.co.burleigh.nd.us/information/default.asp?ID=346

So how should it be built this time? It needs to be physically close to the courthouse does it not?
My particular bias would be to build it under the streets. It is the only thing that I know of that has never been tried.

This site seems to have merit. I like the idea of modern key cards because they can be changed so much easier than old Folger Adams Keys and locks. Modern Hotels using key cards have computer records of when certain doors were opened. I would like to see one of the jails like described below.
Modern Prison Control Rooms can turn off a particular walkie-talkie when it falls into the hands of the inmates, like during a disturbance.
http://www.kcchronicle.com/articles/2008/06/13/news/local/doc48522f2a03f1c763150742.txt
There is a lot more to talk about than who wasted money last time. Lots of modern ideas out there.
Put the words Modern County Jail Construction in a search engine. "

Joe not he plumber wrote on Dec 8, 2008 5:39 PM:

" Sounds like the general consensus is that a mistake was made by previous Sheriff Bob Harvey the Burleigh County Commission when the new jail was planned out and built because it shouldn't have been built in the middle of Bismarck with a city that was destined to grow to someday the size of Fargo or larger. When you have a Sheriff in office for 20 some years with all the same upper ranking staff everyone just does what the sheriff demands because that is how it works. I'm sure that at the time it was whatever Bob wants, and usuallly he got what he wanted because of his stature and long standing postion as sheriff. Hopefully he isn't behind the scenes with the current sheriff and commissioners doing the same. We had a change for awhile with Sheriff Berg and it's too bad he didn't have more time to shake the old ways of the county out and bring a new look and vision for not just more of the old. "

Mike wrote on Dec 8, 2008 5:05 PM:

" To Old and Tired:
Common Sense would dictate that one should not build or expand a jail that is located on one half block of land in the middle of town and common sense should tell you that this jail will outgrow this small piece of property whether it be in 15 years of 50 years. "

OldAndTired wrote on Dec 8, 2008 4:42 PM:

" To Young and Energetic
Please help me out. When politicians do the wrong thing the first time is that a constant or a variable?
When someone uses that 20-20 hindsight is that a constant and always correct.

Did you know that San Quentin Prison is now on prime real estate overlooking the bay. Before the real estate values crashed California could have sold it and built two or three new prisons with the money.
Build the new jail in a remote location with a nice view of water. "

Young and Energetic wrote on Dec 8, 2008 9:46 AM:

" If the county does the opposite of what Bob Harvey and the commissioners did less than 20 years ago then the citizens will be served better and more cost effectively. It doesn't take looking into a crystal ball to see what the future may bring and people don't need to be totally negative like the world is coming to an end. Earlier efforts by Harvey and the commissioners may have been geared toward trying to get by with the least expensive solution at the time and as a result, now only several years later have to spend millions of dollars more, thus putting the tax burden on us and our families at a time when the economy is at its worst. Isn't it true that when this jail was built the fourth floor was unfinished and within a couple years the county had to scramble to finish it with cellblocks because of the increase in inmates? Out of the starting blocks it was already to small and costing us and so that's when the future planning should have been done. Sheriff Heinert worked with his brother-in-law Bob Harvey for 20 plus years and was involved in the earlier process so he should be well informed and educated on the jail situation. When he comes out now with the big millions of dollars surpize it looks like he is only now trying to find answers when some solid proposasl should already be in the works. "

UND1980 wrote on Dec 7, 2008 7:48 PM:

" The core of the matter is that the current jail should not have been added on to in 1990 when its location is in the very center of Bismarck. The location left limited room for expansion. Simple as that. Hopefully, with the input of people from other agencies, we'll do a better job of planning this time. "

OldAndTired wrote on Dec 7, 2008 2:55 PM:

" The above article seems well thought out with everyone doing their job.
No doubt some math whiz could make up some jail-size-increase formulas based on average US city size and growth and average prison size increase. But all of it would be based on the constants not the variables.
Because the main increase in numbers of inmates these days is new street drugs, and street drug use is a variable and could not fit in anyones equations.
It also depends on laws or rules protecting children from penalties. Children do push drugs to their friends when possible and so-called peer pressure is a factor. Here it also depends on how much real interest people on Indian Reservations have in catching them when young. Drug labs on reservations do happen.
And now with the oil exploration people will be moving in, a few with delinquent children.
So it is not as easy as determining how many kids are addicted and will soon be the next adults to fill cells.
No way to figure-in the next Hollywood movie that condones drugs.
As the current recession deepens crime will increase a little in areas where people are out of work.
No way to figure in if there will be any backlash increase from people released early because of overcrowding.

Then the little problem of people wanting the jail built outside of town, then the town grows up around the jail. Put the jail or prison to far away and you have transportation costs.

If anyone could tell me what the ACLU will do next. What laws mothers against drunk drivers will get passed. What the next deadbeat-dad laws will do. What the next mandatory minimum drug laws. And what technology electronics inventors will come up with to monitor people outside of prison, maybe I could make a wild guess at future prison size. But the people hired to do that job will do much better.

I hear that meth is really addictive? "

Tired wrote on Dec 7, 2008 11:43 AM:

" To To Old and Tired: Are we assuming everyone that has left the Sheriffs Dept. left on there on own. Some needed to go and the Sheriffs Dept. is better off for it. There has also been employees who have come back to the Sheriffs Dept in the last 2 yrs but I don't hear anyone talking about that. Why can't people stay on topic. This article has nothing to do with employees leaving. You also sound like you have a crystal ball and can see into the future. So my question is in 20 years how much jail space is the county going to need? How much is the city of Bismarck going to grow? Since you make it sound like Sheriff Harvey should have know these questions 20 years ago you should be able to answer the question about the future. As for Sheriff Harvey and the commissioners not considering expansion for the future, I'm guessing they were trying to get by with the least expensive solution possible to keep citizens like yourself happy by not causing to much of a tax burden on you and your family. "

To Old and Tired wrote on Dec 7, 2008 12:18 AM:

" Over the last two years the sheriff's dept. has been losing deputies who worked there for many years as well as jailers who were employed there for several years. So that negates your statement which implies that it's the "new employees" leaving. To lose 1/3 of one's staff, with many being veterans, that's alot of experience walking out the door. And that's exactly what a sheriff does not need when expanding a jail. As for the current jail, to construct such a building in the middle of town was unwise and not thoroughly thought out. Why, when building the jail 18 years ago, did Sheriff Harvey and the commissioners not consider room for expansion in the future years knowing that Bismarck would continue to grow. Unfortunately, as we all know, as a city grows in population so does crime. If a new jail is built elsewhere, that's a mountain of money that we the taxpayers have lost due to scrapping a jail that was built less than 20 years ago. "

OldAndTired wrote on Dec 6, 2008 9:12 PM:

" To Linda
Do not try to understand politics and its formalities. Why is it called a county jail when most inmates come from the city delivered by city police? Why is the sheriff elected and the police chief appointed? I believe the name sheriff comes from the old word Shire which in England means County. So the word County Sheriff really means something like county county riff? Actually the word Sheriff was a contraction of the words Shire Reeve. A Reeve being the person appointed by the english king to keep the peace in the Shire.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheriff
With police chief being a more modern word lets insist he be in the meeting. He might know something pertinent to the problem.

To Heather
If you looked at the average turnover rate in all of this countries police departments and jails you would be surprised. Most new employees are really uncomfortable around all those selfish, often violent, emotionally innocent criminals and they often find other work within the first year. And there will always be bigger cities that pay more money for the same job.
You sound like another person who wants to neglect our jails and prisons. Go watch the old Paul Newman chain gang movie Cool Hand Luke. It is about the old days when an inmate could be housed and fed for a very few dollars. Taxpayers did not like to pay for jails and prisons back then either.
I bet it is Arizonas Sheriff Joe Arpaios favorite movie. We should have run him for president. "

Heather wrote on Dec 6, 2008 5:11 PM:

" Almost two dozen employees quitting in less than two years!! Why are so many people leaving?? As for the jail expansion, good luck in finding enough tax payers to support such an expensive venture. "

Linda wrote on Dec 6, 2008 4:43 PM:

" Heinert says in the article that he is drafting a letter to the mayor to ask if Bismarck's Chief of Police Witt can join the meeting to discuss jail expansion. Why, I must ask, does the sheriff of Burleigh County need permission from the mayor to include the chief of police in this meeting? As one law enforcement officer to another, why not just stop down at the police dept. and personally ask Witt. "

OldAndTired wrote on Dec 6, 2008 3:46 PM:

" To To Old and Tired
Yes North Dakota has a Maximum Security Prison. And every inmate inside it was at one time in a county jail going through his trial.
Again some things are constants and some are variables.
North Dakota has a maximum security prison with cell blocks I presume. They are very hard to cool and heat. Cells stacked on top of each other in the center of a stone barn type room was developed before modern ideas about heating and cooling. Very expensive and dangerous to operate but just like Alcatraz having cells that do not contact the outside wall is very secure.
However we are now talking about an overcrowded county jail. And we are talking about how much the future will be like the past. You sound like a person who never looks back. That is often the textbook definition of ignorance.
If you could eliminate the drug problem then you could reduce the number of people going into the jails dramatically.
Non invasive drug testing of school students would reduce the number of people going to prison.
One of the constants is that every year a group of students become adults, and a percentage of them begin cycling through jails and prisons.
The last jail expansion would have been adequate if not for modern illegal street drugs. Why dont you tell me the future so I can have a good chuckle.
Then I can accuse you of focusing on the tail of the snake. Very short sighted. "

to Old And Tired wrote on Dec 6, 2008 12:14 PM:

" Old And Tired - Your blog sounds just that. How can you compare anything to Alcatraz with North Dakota which was a maximum security prison for the worst criminals. No matter what, this go around with building or expansion needs to be done better than the last. And Pat Heinert and Bob Harvey was responsible for the last jail that was suppose to be a 25 year plus jail. Now this jail they had built falls short almost ten years. History has a way of repeating itself and hopefully we won't have more of the same because millions of dollars will be spent probably in the next few years not to mention thousands of dollors spent on housing outside the Burleigh County Jail that we shouldn't have to be spending. "

OldAndTired wrote on Dec 6, 2008 1:02 AM:

" This would be laughable if not so routine. My experience in this area comes from another state and I know none of these people. You take it seriously until you see the same dance going on in every state and large county. No one wants to spend money on prisons or jails. No one wants to put enough deputies or correctional officers inside to make any prison or jail a safe place. Sooner or later it becomes a drain on politicians or judges. Whether or not the temporary solution is political or done by the courts does not much matter. Whether courts get involved passing laws about the amount of floor space per inmate or whether politicians are shown to appear insensitive the end is the same. Eventually better jails or prisons and eventually better staffing for awhile. The problems of Alcatraz Island were the same as most. Too many inmates with too few guards and relaxing rules caused the eventual escapes and notoriety that closed it down. But its time had come and gone.
A brief history:
http://www.bop.gov/about/history/alcatraz.jsp
Alcatraz is a good subject to analyze because it is extremely easy to see the logic. When it opened about 1850 people who escaped from prison could easily find work and new identity without any documentation. When it was closed the outrageous expense of taking most food, water, and employees back and forth by boat was ridiculous by modern standards.
So the solution is to always ask what is old fashioned about the prison in question. Then ask what will it cost in the long run not year by year.
First it is the old question of computer logic called Constants and Variables. The Constant seems to be that there will always be people who will be reckless, predatory, dishonest or perverted in dealing with others. They cannot control themselves and must be controlled. So lets argue about the variables not blame individuals. How will society change and what will be logical 50 years down the road? How will medicines and electronics change? "

To to get out and vote wrote on Dec 4, 2008 3:50 PM:

" Too bad we have two years yet to wait to vote. Hopefully if the tough decisions were made alsready they were the right ones. "

to MamaMia wrote on Dec 4, 2008 2:40 PM:

" The problem isn't that the Sheriff's Department can't find intelligent employees. The problem is keeping them the last two years. Within the past two years 1/3 of the staff or about 25 have left or resigned. With such a high turnover rate it may create some difficulties in keeping a larger jail staffed with experienced people. "

MamaMia wrote on Dec 4, 2008 2:10 PM:

" Eddy: I know of three former Burleigh County sheriff's deputies who went on to complete law school and become successful attorneys in their community. I don't think the sheriff's office has trouble finding intelligent employees. "

Get out and vote wrote on Dec 4, 2008 1:01 PM:

" The comments about this story make me think of one thing, everyone seems to be an expert on how, where and when jails should be built. Everyone seems to think they know more or could do better then the ones running the operation. If you people have such a problem with how everything is going, then get out and vote or better yet, run for Sheriff! "

Mike wrote on Dec 4, 2008 12:31 PM:

" It makes sense to gather input from various community leaders and the public when we're faced with having to pay huge dollars out in public funds and this jail project will have a very high price tag. I'm not convinced that Sheriff Heinert is adequately prepared for such a task. Is he waiting to have someone else come up with all the answers? It's like we woke up today and "Houston we have a problem". If the federal guidelines call for 80% being full capacity then the jail has been at capacity for probably 5 or 6 years. Why has there been such a delay by the Sheriff and County Commision in addressing this issue? "

To Eddy wrote on Dec 4, 2008 12:03 PM:

" BOOOOOOOO eddy BOOOOOO, bad taste my friend you must have a large chip on your shoulder to write such garbage. Did you happen to run into our fine deputies on maybe a traffic stop and write you a ticket. By all means please raise the pay scale so these guys can afford to go to college and finish or get a degree. Try not to be so hatefull it is the holidays after all Eddy try some forgiveness. as for the Jail, as Bismarck grows so does crime I say we expand and build a new jail because we are going to need it. "

To Eddy wrote on Dec 4, 2008 12:01 PM:

" It is easy to sit back a criticize the job and its employee's when you have never been in law enforcement. It sounds like you have had dealings with the department and are not happy with the way it turned out. Get over it. If you dont like the way the department is run, put your money and your degree where your mouth is and run for Sheriff. "

Stop the Blame wrote on Dec 4, 2008 11:57 AM:

" Who could of predicted 18 years ago that the inmate numbers would go through the roof and Meth would inhabit our community and effect the numbers of female inmate numbers. We cannot blame former commissioners and former sheriff's and current commissioners and sheriff's. We have a problem and it needs to be addressed. The references to Sheriif Joe in Arizona are correct but he does not have a North Dakota winter to deal with in the tent jail he has built. I would recommend or ask Sheriff Heinert to host an open house or open meeting with the residents of Bismarck and Burleigh County to see what we are getting for our dollars. "

Eddy wrote on Dec 4, 2008 7:51 AM:

" One thing is for sure.. I have never read anywhere, anytime in the same sentence the words Burleigh county sheriffs dept and intelligent. Everybody went to school or knows somebody in the dept.. We all know the type of people we are dealing with here.. Got no respect and then got an easy degree and a gun and they somehow now think that they are smarter than the rest of us. How hard is it to become a sheriff?? We need to raise the pay scale and get some better people in there instead of building a new facility. With higher pay we will attract people with higher IQ's. "

To All wrote on Dec 4, 2008 5:46 AM:

" The current jail thinks camera visitation is a great idea, so why not camera court? This would stop just about every whimper on everyones part, jailers could sit and visit about this or that and the prosecutors could mis-state facts, or disregard the truths of record and not one person has to fear harm from the villinouse criminals. Add the extra millions to the prison building funds and everything works towards the New Worlds Order, imprisonment for State Agency profits. A jail within the existing prison saves all kinds of worry about the future.. "

To Dubbles wrote on Dec 3, 2008 8:46 PM:

" Good suggestions yet, a big problem is the parking space. It's difficult to finding parking places when you need to do business in the courthouse. The courthouse already is short in parking space and as the departments grow, there will be more employees with no place to park. And also, as there's an increase in inmates over the years, there'll be more need for courtroom space. One idea would be to renovate the current jail, instead, for courtromm expansion and for the many other agencies in the courthouse that are lacking in office space. It's being realistic to say that eventually, no matter what bandaid you put on this jail, its not going to fit the needs of the criminal justice system in the near future. These things should have all been considered when they built the new jail 18 years ago. "

Dubbles wrote on Dec 3, 2008 6:38 PM:

" They knew of this problem for how long, and yet it only comes up now? With the courthouse already connected to the jail, it would be best for the taxpayers to add onto the jail, that way we are not paying for the transport of inmates from jail to court then back from court to jail. There is that parking lot right across the road from the jail. Build there and put a skywalk over rosser connecting that building to the current jail. Just like the hospitals. Or, I think the county still owns the provident building, maybe they could add a skywalk to that building and use the top floors of that building for more jail space. Just some thoughts "

Joe not the plumber wrote on Dec 3, 2008 6:04 PM:

" One of the prior posts states that the current facility would have to stay open for central booking or intake. This sounds totally non cost effective and a waste of tax dollars due to the additional staffing that would be needed and having to maintain another facility. Two jails for Burleigh County is ridiculous and I hope they don't go that direction. Do it right this time around please! And, leave Bob Harvey the brother-in-law to Sheriff Heinert out of the equation this time. "

Jim wrote on Dec 3, 2008 5:51 PM:

" It's a shame that only 18 years after building a brand new jail we will so soon pay out huge dollars for another new jail or expansion. I agree that this was very poor planning by former Sheriff Bob Harvey and the past commission. "

Tired wrote on Dec 3, 2008 5:28 PM:

" I'm tired of stories like this always turning into a story about Mr. Politician Berg and Sheriff Heinert. Berg lost and the election is over. There is a simple answer to this problem. Build a 150 bed facility that could be used for sentenced and long term housing needs. The current facility can still be used for initial booking and pre trial housing needs & detox. This way it doesn't interfer with transporting inmates to court and the 750k used to update the current jail won't be a total waste. Just my 2 cents but please stop making it between Berg & Heinert. "

Heather wrote on Dec 3, 2008 4:15 PM:

" It was poor planning 18 years ago by Sheriff Harvey and now poor planning once again by Sheriff Heinert who said to build the new jail with a 25-year outlook. We don't need more short-sightedness. "Millions" is right! We need a 50-year plan. The county is growing. And "millions" is right about the former Sheriff's planning being shot down just because some of the commissioners had a dislike for Berg. Talk about playing politics with our tax payers money! "

To To Linda wrote on Dec 3, 2008 3:33 PM:

" Obviously you must know Sheriff Berg personally since you called him by his first name so you can relay your own message to him. I stated facts - I listened to the meeting. Heinert said that the county spent ZERO dollars last year on housing prisoners outside of the Burleigh jail. And this year the numbers are high due to overcrowding. Listen to the replay on channel CATV. "

To Linda wrote on Dec 3, 2008 3:01 PM:

" Please get some facts before you go off. The current facility would have to stay open in some capacity (Central Booking) and evening intake. Tell Steve he lost and it is time to get over it and move on. "

Linda wrote on Dec 3, 2008 1:49 PM:

" Sheriff Heinert stated in the meeting that zero dollars were spent last year to house prisoners in other jails. In other words, that would mean not even one prisoner was housed elsewhere. Yet this year, he said, so far it has cost our jail $34,000 to house prisoners in other county jails due to overcrowding. Why such an enormous upsurge in numbers compared to last year? "

Biff Malibue wrote on Dec 3, 2008 1:42 PM:

" Razors Edge: I hear ya! Unfortunately, it is the judges around here that are allowing this and have full control of when someone "serves" their time.

warmachine: I agree 100%, Sheriff Joe Arpaio is what all sheriff's should be like and how jails should be run. Probably put a huge dent in crime just by that deterent alone and save us tax payers a ton of money. "

Millions wrote on Dec 3, 2008 1:35 PM:

" This issue was being addressed aggressively by our former sheriff, Steve Berg and a comprehensive study was completed by a department of corrections national organization. Also, several county and city officials, Sheriff Berg along with commissioner Schonert discussed the overcrowding issue and the commisioners let it die when they discovered they couldn't take the jail away from Berg. Now on face value it looks like Schonert and Sheriff Heinert come out like this is a big surprise and we just discovered we need to do something about it. The fact is the existing jail was a result of poor planning and lack of vision, when it was known that Bismarck would be growing rapidly for years to come. This expansion will cost millions of tax dollars and whoever signs on the dotted line will need to be sure we have a jail that will serve our community for 50 years. "

warmachine wrote on Dec 3, 2008 12:31 PM:

" If you need expert advice, for free, I suggest the county commissioners contact Joe Arpaio in Maricopa county in Arizona. He's solved a plethora of problems with little expense. They may not like his politics, or lack thereof, but one can't argue with success. "

Financially Responsible wrote on Dec 3, 2008 12:24 PM:

" Tribune...has any research been done on charging inmates a fee of $50 per day for there stay? Just curious if there is a law preventing this. It removes the burden from the taxpayer to the inmate. "

Razors Edge wrote on Dec 3, 2008 12:21 PM:

" Is it just me or does this seem misleading:

"Federal guidelines and jail guidelines call for 80 percent being considered full, which is 110 inmates," Heinert told the commission. "Currently, we are at 126 average daily population for 2008."

He said those figures exclude a program that allows some inmates to be released early for good behavior."

So if we INCLUDE the program for good behavior the number would be less? Also, it says:

He said the number of inmates serving on the weekends has increased. On average between 12 and 16 serve their sentences this way. "I suspect that is because people who are getting sentenced are asking for that, so they don't interfere with their occupations," Heinert said. "It causes some 'headaches' and overcrowding."

So, again I might be wrong here, but if people are effectively getting to decide when to serve their time why do it? They must not be a danger to the community if we let them out every Monday and they return on their own on Friday. Why not just make them pay higher fines? "

to Law wrote on Dec 3, 2008 11:39 AM:

" Yes, later in the meeeting the sheriff mentioned a regional jail, among other suggestions, but as for Schonert, there was no mention of a regional jail which was a priority with him a couple years ago. "

Law wrote on Dec 3, 2008 9:58 AM:

" I watched the Commission meeting and there was mention of a regional facility during the meeting but they are just in preliminary discussion at this point. I'm sure all options will be considered. It will be many years before anything is done and if they had a problem with the control room they probably were better off fixing it now. The safety of the staff and the prisoners cannot be put off until a new jail is built. "

Linda wrote on Dec 3, 2008 8:38 AM:

" After reading this article, I'd say that the commission got off on the wrong foot several months ago by allowing Sheriff Heinert to put $750,000 into the jail's control room when there was obviously concern of having to build a new jail. That's a large amount of taxpayers' dollars to put into a building that may not be used as a jail by 2010. Poor planning. Also, I was surprised by Comm. Schonert 's statement in the Tribune saying that our options for expansion are either building a new jail or expanding the current one, or sharing room at the penn. When listening to televised commission meetings a couple years ago, Schonert was solely focused on building a regional jail run by several counties even though the former sheriff was not in favor of it. Why, in this article, does Schonert not even give any mention to a regional jail when, in the past, he was so determined to push the idea through? Was it simply to take away from Sheriff Berg his control over the jail? It's all about politics. All in all, something needs to be done about the concern of overcrowding and I hope the commission will make a wise decision this time regarding expansion so that we aren't back in this same position in another 18 years. "

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