During the Jan. 10 meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors, the board listened to a presentation regarding the county jail and improvements that Sheriff K.C. Clark would like to see take place.
For many years the concern regarding the facility has been that required services cannot be adequately provided. The facility, built in 1976, received additional construction in 2002, but that construction did not include laundry, medical or kitchen facilities. Instead, provisions for these facilities were made in existing space, creating concerns regarding not only the quality of those services, but in matters of safety and security.
According to the information provided, the limited space available for the medical facility provides minimal privacy, and services normally provided in-house have to be done outside the jail. This means transporting prisoners to local medical facilities, dentists and optometrists due to lack of accommodations. This means increased transportation costs, man hours and security risks.
“This is a real issue for staff and inmate transport. Most jails have an onsite clinic, and here we have to deal with the additional costs of gas, maintenance and items such as that,” explained Clark.
According to Jail Commander Ernie Garcia, the kitchen facilities are another concern. When those accommodations were made it was to provide meals for 200 to 250, not for the current population of 380 to 400 inmates. In addition, the pots, pans and other cooking implements cannot be stored in secure areas, leaving them in the open and with potential to be used as weapons by prisoners. The elevator used to transport meals is narrow and inadequate for the job, thus requiring numerous trips in order to provide three meals a day to the large population.
In the laundry facility, the equipment is outdated and inefficient as the space is so limited that no additional equipment can be added. The narrow hall of the room is a security concern, and allows for spaces for inmates to remain out of sight.
Supervisor Jerry Brownlow expressed concern, stating that he was surprised that no major catastrophe has taken place and noting that the facility really needs improvement.
In support of improving the facilities, the board approved a professional services contract in the amount of $10,900 to be awarded to JWA Architects for a concept design and build/remodel costs for jail improvements.
Once that aspect of the project is complete, a presentation will be made at the March 27 Board of Supervisors meeting, and future meetings for project discussions will be planned.
In other action Jan. 10, the board:
* Approved the appointment of Carol Joann Snyder to the Navajo County Republican Committee as a precinct committeeman.
* Approved a resolution canceling the board member election of the Timberland Acres Special Road District, and deeming Kristine Sleighter and Brian Shields elected.
* Approved a resolution canceling the board member election of the Timberland Acres Domestic Water Improvement District, and deeming William Deer and Carol Prochter elected.
* Approved a resolution canceling the board member election of the Ski-Hi Domestic Water Improvement District, and deeming Victor Rico, Richard Inman and Aage Olsen elected.
* Approved an amendment to the Community Health Grant for the Navajo County Public Health Services District that allows for contract number change to accommodate new system guidelines.
* Approved an intergovernmental agreement between the Arizona Supreme Court, the Navajo County School Superintendent and the Board of Supervisors for Title I and other associated funds for juvenile detention education services in the amount of $57,857.51, to include $1,120.51 in carryover funds.
* Approved a $12,600 reimbursement to the Woodruff Fire District from the Navajo County Flood Control District for repairs made to an existing flood control diversion channel.
