Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 1, 1990 TAG: 9005010334
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
However, it might also mean a loss of control for the localities. And the Pulaski Board of Supervisors is approaching the idea cautiously.
"In my point of view, this is something that needs to be done," Robert Wootton, facilities manager for the Department of Corrections, told the supervisors Monday night. "A regional facility is the best way to go."
The supervisors had asked Wootton to give a presentation on the regional jail after the Department of Corrections requested the board pass a resolution that would allow for a feasibility study. The study would be free to the counties and the counties would not be obligated to go ahead with plans to build a regional facility once the study is completed.
"The forecasts we've done recently show jail populations increasing two to three times in the next five to 10 years," Wootton said, adding that the four counties considered for the project are overpopulated by 150 to 200 percent.
The Pulaski County jail was built to house 47 inmates, but on any given day it averages 65 to 70 inmates, said Sheriff Frank Conner.
Conner encouraged the supervisors Monday night to support a feasibility study.
"It lets you know what problems we have with our jail," he said. "The jail is old and it will need some major work over the next few years."
Several supervisors said they were concerned that if a regional jail were formed, the county would lose out on some of the work the inmates provide to the community.
Inmates at the Pulaski jail raise some of their own food to cut down costs and are involved in numerous community service projects.
Wootton said he thought the inmates may be able to go back and work in the counties, even if they are housed in a regional facility.
But Conner said he seriously doubts the inmates could be used as well as the county uses them now. "Luck has been on our side," he said.
Wootton said that a regional jail housing 300 inmates could cost up to $15 million, with the state reimbursing the county for 50 percent.
If a county were to build a jail of that size on its own, there would be a cap of $1.2 million from the state, he said.
The supervisors did not vote on the resolution Monday night. Wootton said it would take department officials about three months to complete a feasibility study once the counties gave their permission.
In other business, the board held a public hearing on the county's budget proposal for 1990-91.
There was no opposition to $37.1 million budget proposal, which includes $16.2 million for the general fund.
by CNB