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COST: $120 million
TYPE: 1500 Bed Jail Facility (Expandable to 2500 beds for future growth) with attached Law Enforcement Center
LOCATION: Proposed new location will be the Flagview Mobile Home Park area at I-20 and Hwy 92 based on county's ability to acquire property
DESIGN: Preformed steel & precast concrete cells with maximum, medium, & minimum security
Dear Citizens,
"It is an honor to serve as your Sheriff since 2001 and to work with an excellent group of public safety professionals. Douglas County is recognized as one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family in the Metro-Atlanta area. The tremendous growth in the county has also had consequences that we do not want to impact our safety and well being. Our community has reached one of those critical turning points and some tough decisions have to be made. As your Sheriff, I am providing you all the information available on the current jail issues and a new jail project so each of you can make an informed decision. I urge you to carefully review this information and contact me or one of my senior staff if you need anything further."
Sincerely,
Phil D. Miller,
Douglas County Sheriff
FAQ's.....
HAVE OTHER ALTERNATIVES BEEN UTILIZED TO REDUCE THE CURRENT JAIL OVERCROWDING?
Yes. The Douglas County Jail has been in a constant state of renovation and expansion since the early 1990's using inmate labor and low cost dormitory housing in order to accommodate the increase in the inmate population. The court system has also implemented procedures that expedite inmates through the judicial process and release low risk offenders, when possible. Housing inmates in other counties has also been utilized but is very expensive and poses a major problem with transportation and security.
DIDN'T THE NEW ANNEX SOLVE THE JAIL OVERCROWDING PROBLEM ?
No. The annex was constructed at a cost of $6.8 million and never designed to address the overall overcrowding problem. Its primary goal was to provide the county time to complete the projects from the existing SPLOST and to stop the housing of inmates at other counties. The dormitory space at the annex also provided critical space to house the ever increasing number of female inmates at the jail.
I HAVE HEARD THAT THE CURRENT JAIL HAS APPROXIMATELY 811 BEDS FOR INMATES, SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM ?
That is true. The jail has 811 bed spaces for inmates to sleep but the issue is safety and security, not sleeping spaces. You can sleep 25 people in a 3 bedroom house, but what if they were all strangers placed there against their will? Based on the square footage at the current jail, it should have a maximum of 450-480 beds to meet even the minimal standards for housing. Almost 50% of the 811 beds are in open dormitories and include disciplinary units, mental health cells, medical isolation, and special needs areas.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH HAVING SO MUCH OPEN DORMITORY SPACE ?
The vast majority of inmates housed at the jail are felons from different ages, criminal backgrounds, and many with long term patterns of antisocial behavior. A growing number of inmates also have anger issues and a tendency towards violence. Dormitory space does not allow for effective separation of these different inmates causing serious issues for staff and other inmates. The dormitory design is for people who have a common goal such as in the military or in a camp setting, not among inmates.
JAIL IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE, WHY SHOULD WE BUILD A NEW JAIL TO MAKE IT MORE COMFORTABLE FOR CRIMINALS ?
We agree that jail should not be a comfortable experience and the current jail certainly fits that criteria. There is, however, a level of conditions that actually breeds violence and creates more problems than it solves. The lack of maximum security space and female housing at the current jail is now at a critical level and has resulted in a significant increase in assaults against staff, escape attempts, and incidents of violence between inmates. The new jail design allows for the segregation of problem inmates and reduces the need for inmate movement within the facility.
ARE WE CURRENTLY HOUSING INMATES FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS ?
No. We have not housed inmates for other jurisdictions since 1996, except for our neighboring counties in an emergency situation. The fact is, the maximum security and female housing has reached a critical point in the current jail and the Sheriff's Office is exploring its options, which again may include housing at other jails.
WHERE WILL A NEW JAIL FACILITY BE BUILT ?
Douglas County is presently negotiating for the purchase of property at I-20 and Hwy 92 on the site of the Flagview Mobile Home Park. This site is 36 acres and will allow for future needs of county government. This site is also in closer proximity to the courthouse but provides excellent security and minimal community impact because it borders I-20 and the County Transportation Center.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE ANNEX, BUILT IN 2004, AND THE INVESTMENT ALREADY IN THAT BUILDING?
There are several options being explored by county officials. The building can be easily remodeled for office space for a variety of county departments in need of space. Some of the suggestions have been the Department of Transportation and Headquarters for Fire/EMS.
If you have any further questions, or would like a member of the Sheriff's Office staff to address your gathering or group regarding the new jail proposal, please contact Chief Deputy Stan Copeland at 770-920-7136 or at scopeland@sheriff.douglas.ga.us
Thank you.
***************************NOTICE***************************
THERE WILL BE AN OPEN HOUSE AT THE DOUGLAS COUNTY JAIL SCHEDULED FOR:
JULY 21, 2007 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM
AUGUST 18, 2007 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM
TOURS OF THE JAIL WILL BE OPEN TO ALL DOUGLAS COUNTY RESIDENTS ONLY
