<< Back 6/26/02 Cruzan wants more staff for new jail By Don Hendershot Jackson County commissioners took a tour of the nearly completed Jackson County Law Enforcement Center during their June 20 work session. “For the money, it’s the best jail we could get,” Sheriff Jim Cruzan said. The 33,000-square-foot facility will house between 48 and 55 prisoners, the Sheriff’s Department and county offices. The new facility will use computerized audio and video surveillance from a central control room. Cell environments will range from dormitory style for trustees to isolation confinement for more hostile prisoners and/or those on suicide watch. During the tour, Cruzan and head jailer Tammy Hedden once again made their plea to commissioners for additional jailers. Although Cruzan and Hedden have steadfastly maintained that six additional jailers are needed to adequately man the new facility, commissioners only budgeted for four and one administrative position in the proposed 2002-2003 budget. At a recent public hearing on the budget proposal, Cruzan told commissioners he would be willing to forego the administrative position if he could get six jailers. Hedden believes there should be a minimum of three jailers per shift. “Sheriff says we can make do with two. I say we can’t. What do you do if one is off for some reason? That leaves only one and one person can’t do it. Also we would be out of compliance,” Hedden told commissioners during the tour. “We really need three. One in booking, one in the main control room and one walking,” Cruzan said. The sheriff and Hedden also told commissioners they felt the new jail could provide some revenue for the county from the new canteen and from housing federal prisoners. Hedden said the county could receive $40 per day per prisoner. Cruzan said he was told the canteen in the new Macon County jail was providing about $5,000 a month in revenue. Commissioners discussed the tour and Cruzan’s and Hedden’s request but no decision was made. In other budget news, County Manager Ken Westmoreland said a change in tipping fees at the Macon County landfill from $55 per ton to $51 per ton would save the county $41,000 next year. Commissioners also voted to include a $10,000 allocation for Community Health Link. Lorna Barnett of Health Link told commissioners it was a good investment. “As a community organization it’s important, when we are seeking grants, that people see community support,” Barnett said. Last year Health Link secured about $135,000 in outside grants that were used in Jackson County.