Pubdate: Fri, 24 May 2002
Source: Wilmington Morning Star (NC)
Copyright: 2002 Wilmington Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.wilmingtonstar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/500
Author: Millard K. Ives

STUDY SHOWS SPACE AT A PREMIUM IN BRUNSWICK JAIL

The Brunswick County jail is overcrowded and is too small for its 
administration to properly conduct business, according to results of a 
study released this week.

The jail housed an average of 105 inmates per day last year, although it 
only is built for 75 inmates, and has four jailers per shift, the 
FreemanWhite architectural firm study reported.

"It has been dangerously overcrowded for years and will get worse if 
solutions aren't made soon," said Steve Allan, a representative with the firm.

The Charlotte-based firm was commissioned by Brunswick County officials 
this year to conduct a study to determine how to solve the space crunch and 
if a new jail is needed.

The study was presented Wednesday to mostly county judicial system 
officials. The Board of Commissioners is expected to receive the report 
during its next regular meeting, June 3.

Mr. Allan said inmates were sleeping on mattresses on the floor, and too 
many were in the jail's four cellblock units.

He added that with the increasing population in Brunswick County, the firm 
expects the jail to regularly house about 207 inmates by 2025.

"The report just shows what we have been saying for years, now it's 
official," said Capt. Kevin Holden, chief jailer.

Mr. Allan also said the building is too small to house its administration 
and equipment and he showed pictures of copiers and files in hallways.

He also showed pictures of food trays being distributed from the booking 
station - saying the trays were clogging up the area.

The 12-week study took note of several Brunswick County jail statistics and 
issues that included inmates' demographics, criminal charges and average 
jail time. Commissioners and officials will use the report to determine how 
to address the inmate overcrowding and the need for more administrative space.

The firm recommended several options. Mr. Allan said building a new and 
larger jail designed to house 207 inmates - the expected average population 
in 2025 - was the best solution. He estimated that a new jail that size 
would cost between $13 million and $15 million.

Commissioners were already considering allotting $6.5 million over the next 
two fiscal years for a new jail.

"This does encourage us to give more consideration to a new jail, but we 
couldn't spend $15 million on one," Commissioner David Sandifer said.

Mr. Allan said the jail could be built in stages.

The Sheriff's Department argument for a new jail recently escalated after 
three jailers were injured by inmates during an attempted escape in 
October; and three inmates escaped out of a defective cell window earlier 
this month.

The department attributed both escapes to overcrowding and the need for a 
new jail.

Other options to reduce inmate population were also discussed Wednesday, 
including expanding the county's house arrest program and reducing the time 
inmates have to wait in jail before trial.

Giving the Sheriff's Department room in the old Brunswick County courthouse 
is also an option.

Capt. Holden said that while many law-abiding citizens may argue that 
inmates deserve to be packed in, it creates a dangerous situation for jailers.

"Many residents don't take into consideration that jailers have to walk 
into these overcrowded jails," Capt. Holden said.
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