Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 18, 1995 TAG: 9505180039
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH HUNTLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Sheriff Gerald Holt told the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday that he plans to question disparities in funding between local and regional jails. Under current guidelines, the state will reimburse localities 25 percent for construction to local jails. Renovations to facilities classified as regional jails bring pay-backs as high as 50 percent.
``We want to be designated a local jail, but we want our share of the 50 percent reimbursement because we serve more than one locality,'' Holt said.
As a result of a recent court case won by the Emporia Sheriff's Office, the Department of Corrections has conceded that Roanoke County qualifies for regional jail status because it serves the county, Vinton and Salem. The facility also is equipped with a cell for Craig County prisoners who require maximum security.
But Holt said the supervisors should be wary of regional jail status because the designation comes with costly caveats.
The statute defining regional jails mandates creation of a regional board, similar to the authorities that govern the valley's landfill and airport, and the appointment of an administrator. The regional jail board would be required by law to put its work out for bid, opening control of day-to-day jail operations to the private sector, Holt said.
``In my professional opinion, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages because the county would lose control of jail operations, but still be liable and responsible for them,'' Holt said. ``When you are talking about human life and the deprivation of liberty, I think the issue has to be approached as more than a business decision.''
Several other jurisdictions have been burned after jail privatization efforts broke down, the sheriff said.
The wrangling could affect plans by the county and Salem to renovate the sixth floor and add a seventh floor to the jail on East Main Street in Salem to alleviate overcrowding.
The facility was designed to house 104 inmates, but population has swelled to as many as 200 on weekends, Holt said.
The $2.3 million construction project would provide 80 new beds, Holt said.
The county's estimated share of the project exceeds $1.3 million. With a 25 percent reimbursement, the state would repay Roanoke County about $336,000. If Holt is successful in his efforts to obtain a 50 percent pay-back, that would double.
In other board action Wednesday:
The supervisors agreed to consider doubling the county's allocation to Camp Roanoke from $25,000 to $50,000. The money would help kick off the camp's capital campaign efforts.
Camp Roanoke, which is near the Spring Hollow Reservoir, has been undergoing renovations since September and will be host of two one-week DARE day-camp programs and a Ropes and Initiatives course this summer.
The Department of Parks and Recreation hopes eventually to offer residential camping and retreat opportunities on the site.
The board also supported inclusion of $10,800 in the county's proposed budget to help fund a regional greenways study.
A public hearing on the budget has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Roanoke County Administration Building.
by CNB