Page 40 - 2018 WCSO ANNUAL REPORT HTML5 ONLY
P. 40

MANAGING CHANGE



                                                                                                                                                                                         AND PLANNING FOR



                                                                                                                                                                                         THE FUTURE





                                                                                                                                                                                         Operating the only jail in a county of just over
                                                                                                                                                                                         600,000 residents is challenging.  With only
                                                                                                                                                                                         572  beds  available  and  over  18,000  annual
                                                                                                                                                                                         bookings, keeping the “right” offenders in jail
                                                                                                                                                                                         requires a thoughtful systems approach with
                                                                                                                                                                                         quality care and services. The capacity of the
                                                                                                                                                                                         jail has not increased since 2000 when the
                                                                                                                                                                                         population was just shy of 450,000 residents.
                                                                                                                                                                                         Jail staff collaborate with criminal justice
                                                                                                                                                                                         partners to ensure limited bed space is used in
                                                                                                                                                                                         the most efficient, just and fair manner. The jail
                                                                                                                                                                                         is also responsible for providing security to all
                                                                                                                                                                                         of the Circuit Court Judges and courtrooms.

                                                                                                                                                                                         Our jail staff works faithfully around the clock
                                                                                                                                                                                         to ensure Washington County’s only jail is safe
                                                                                                                                                                                         and secure for the public, staff and inmates.
                                                                                                                                                                                         The area’s first jail was built in 1853. Four jails
                                                                                                                                                                                         and 165 years later, our jail staff prides itself
                                                                                                                                                                                         in dedication and compassion. In addition  to
                                                                                                                                                                                         processing over 50 new bookings and releases
                                                                                                                                                                                         daily, the jail houses individuals awaiting trial
                                                                                                                                                                                         or serving a sentence less than 365 days. A
                                                                                                                                                                                         common response during jail tours is how
                                                                                                                                                                                         different the jail seems compared to what you
                                                                                                                                                                                         may see on TV or movies. The WCSO Jail is a
           WASHINGTON COUNTY’S                                                                                                                                                           comprehensive  system  designed  for  safety,

                                                                                                                                                                                         where individuals are well cared for and receive
           ONLY JAIL                                                                                                                                                                     extensive medical care, mental health services,
                                                                                                                                                                                         education, work experience and many other
                                                                                                                                                                                         life improvement and pro-social programs.
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