Out with old, in with the new
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| The Adair County Jail in Greenfield, built in 1903, is not handicap accessible with steps leading to the main entrance. The jail hasn't had a renovation since the 1970s and has many problems with space and security. (CNA photo by AMY HANSEN) |
GREENFIELD — The Adair County jail doesn’t look like a jail, it looks like an old, brick house.
“Most of our issues are about age,” said Adair County Sheriff Brad Newton. “It was built in 1903 and we have plumbing and electrical issues. For the most part, the building is worn out.”
For the past year, the possibility of constructing a new jail and forming a committee has been a priority issue for the Adair County Board of Supervisors.
“We’ve tossed around a lot of issues,” said Adair County Supervisor Clifford Sheriff. “Now, we’re getting to the point where we’re getting some accomplishments done. We joined with South Iowa Area Crime Commission (SIACC), and they recommended Midwest Construction Consultants (MCC).”
At a Sept. 30 open meeting, John and Steve Hansen with MCC presented a 52 page report on a feasibility study and preliminary evaluation of the existing jail. MCC has planned, developed and constructed 23 correctional facilities throughout Iowa and Missouri.
“From the standpoint of public safety, there are numerous problems with security and safety,” said MCC Project Manager Steve Hansen.
Problems
According to the report, the current structure was originally designed as a live-in correctional facility for the sheriff. It has not had any major renovations since the 1970s.
One main issue plaguing the jail is it does not meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. The steps to the main entrance, corridors and doors do not meet ADA accessibility.
“The entire building isn’t ADA compliant at all,” Newton said. “The way it’s constructed, it can’t be made handicap accessible.”
More issues include problems with the dispatch area. The area is approximately 165 square feet and handles 9-1-1 calls, dispatch to sheriff and deputies, taking care of the inmates and assisting the public.
According to Newton, everyday from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m., one employee takes on both duties of dispatcher and jailer. There is only one employee bathroom and it is on the second floor.
“Anytime the 9-1-1 dispatcher has to use the bathroom or check on inmates, you have to go upstairs and it leaves the room unattended,” Newton said. “You just hope you don’t get a call during that time.”
“The county has a lot of liability because of these issues,” Sheriff added.
Another problem is that the jail only has room for nine inmates. However, Newton said it could be full with only three people. Men and women can’t be housed together on the same floor, nor can felons be detained with misdemeanors. One woman could take up an entire floor with four beds.
“They’re projecting through 15 years, without adjusting for the cost of inflation. it would cost Adair County $1,167,492 to house inmates in other counties,” Sheriff said.
Weather worries
Sheriff said he has concerns with safety, both weather and security related. A tornado could shut down the entire system.
“There’s no protection from the weather,” Newton said. “You could say it hasn’t happened in 106 years, but it could happen any night. You have a tornado go through Greenfield and it could take out the 9-1-1 dispatch, and then everybody’s in trouble.”
In MCC’s report, the plan is to design the Adair County Correctional Center as a podular remote supervision county jail with a 12- to 18-bed facility, including a vestibule, lobby, civil deputy’s office, public restrooms, public inmate video visitation, sheriff’s office, chief deputy’s office, squad room, interview room, armory, clerical supply room, evidence room, locker rooms and janitor’s closet.
Inmate space will include an intake holding cell, detoxification cell, inmate booking area, search area and commissary storage area.
Cells will not have sight lines into any other areas or control rooms. Female cells will be isolated with doors for a secure, protected entrance.
Additional space could be added to include the city police department.
According to Hansen, a decision regarding the location for the jail hasn’t been made and no pricing has been reviewed yet.
Newton and Sheriff said they completely support the possibility of a new jail.
“We would like to do something on our own, before somebody comes in and tells us we have to do it,” Newton said. “It probably won’t happen for a few years, but the state could come in and say we shouldn’t be holding prisoners here, and we could be closed.”
The next meeting will be Nov. 2 in City Hall council room. Steve and John Hansen and Steve McCoy from SIACC will be on the agenda.
