Summer studies raise awareness about county jail needs, next step is legislative action

Legislative summer studies have brought awareness to the capacity issues facing county jails across the state. The next step is to see what legislation is proposed and what's approved by the legislature and the governor.

Brown County Commissioners heard an update on multiple summer studies held by the South Dakota Legislature at Tuesday's meeting. That update came from Julie Johnson, who was hired as a lobbyist by the county this past year.

Johnson actively lobbies for multiple groups during the legislative session. She continued her efforts this summer by keeping tabs on six summer studies evaluating not only county jail needs, state corrections plans, and how to distribute funding set aside by the legislature for jail construction; but also topics that included juvenile justice, the property tax structure and appropriations.

Brown County's jail is running at capacity. Earlier this year, commissioners agreed to purchase the former Hub City Inc. building for $4.5 million with the intent of remodeling the interior for a jail with sufficient space not only for Brown County, but also inmates from across the region.

More:Need for regional jail in Brown County reiterated by chief deputy, state's attorney

The plan is far from a sure thing, however. Commissioners don't want to pass an opt out or increase the tax burden for county residents and bought the building with the caveat that the county gets commitments for 40% of the estimated $27 million needed for a 127-bed facility by April 1, 2023. Hopes are the nearby counties will commit funding to the new facility.

The state has also set aside money for regional jails. Legislators set aside $86 million in state money for the development of regional jail space, but also called for a summer study to assess statewide needs and how to best distribute the money. Johnson said the recommendation from that committee is to allocate that funding in the form of grants or to set it up a revolving loan fund.

When it comes to the summer studies, Johnson said sheriffs, state's attorneys and judges did a good job explaining the situation across the state. Brown County was also in conversations with the state about using part of the county's building to provide needed capacity to house women's prisoners.

"That changed since Hughes County made a deal with the state," Johnson told commissioners.

Following the commission meeting, Johnson told the American News that the door continues to be open with the state for future conversations, but the space available in the building purchased by the county also affords an opportunity to set up local options that aren't currently available because of space restrictions.

More:Legislature's regional jail committee hears three hours of testimony about county needs

Johnson said that could mean a space for GED training so inmates can get their high school diplomas; workforce training; and behavioral health services.

"There's all kinds of capacity, and fortunately we have a community with those resources," she said adding that local agencies are interested in providing those options at the jail.

Johnson also told commissioners that there is a desire to see the development of regional jails in the state. Following the meeting, Johnson said the desire to see the development of regional jails doesn't come with specific sites in mind.

"There's no predetermined map," she said. "Those never work."

Instead, she said, legislators want to see the regional jails develop organically.

As for the juvenile justice committee, Johnson said this committee covered a range of topics.

More:Regional jail commission meets Wednesday in Aberdeen as Brown County fights capacity issues

"In the end we reminded them some of the topics needed to be space," she said.

While Brown County has space to hold juveniles, it's limited and becomes even more limited if juveniles being held need to be separated.

Commissioners thanked Johnson for her work this summer.

"With Julie's help we did a great job of heightening awareness not only here but across the state," said Commissioner Mike Wiese, who sat on one of the committees.

Wiese said jail capacity has been an issue for a long time and it's not likely to go away.

Sheriff-elect Dave Lunzman described this summer's effort as waking the sleeping bear.

"If we don't get a fix now, I don't know if there will ever be a better opportunity for us or the state to get something done."

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Brown County Commission hears updates on legislative summer studies