Page 42 - 2018 WCSO ANNUAL REPORT HTML5 ONLY
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Each inmate who is lodged into the jail is assessed and
                                                                                                                                                                                      assigned a classification level. This level signifies to staff any
                                                                                                                                                                                      safety or security risks with an individual inmate. Inmates
                                                                                                                                                                                      are grouped based on classification level and housed in jail
                                                                                                                                                                                      pods with peers who have similar needs. Most pods house
                                                                                                                                                                                      up to 60 inmates and function as its own community where
                                                                                                                                                                                      inmates reside together, eat meals together and proceed
                                                                                                                                                                                      through daily routines such as educational programs,
                                                                                                                                                                                      recreational time or cleaning activities.


                                                                                                                                                                                      In 2005, deputies began to work with classifications staff,
                                                                                                                                                                                      mental health, programs and medical to evaluate inmates
                                                                                                                                                                                      who required the most care. Due to physical or mental
                                                                                                                                                                                      restrictions, this innovative group ultimately decided it
                                                                                                                                                                                      would be safer to house particularly vulnerable inmates
                                                                                                                                                                                      together in one housing area. The cadre of staff assigned
                                                                                                                                                                                      to work with this special needs pod held ongoing meetings
 About 190 certified and civilian                                                                                                                                                     and trainings  to assess inmate needs, explore solutions,
 staff members work to run the                                                                                                                                                        watch for patterns or trends and monitor the impact of the
 Washington County Jail.  Every                                                                                                                                                       new housing situation.
 day they provide services to                                                                                                                                                         The results were very promising.  Within 6 months of
 approximately 572 inmates, as well                                                                                                                                                   inception, the group found medication compliance (regular
 as the many attorneys, friends, and                                                                                                                                                  willingness to take prescribed medications) had increased
 family members who visit them.  In                                                                                                                                                   as well as instances of inmate on inmate assault decreased.
 addition to those lodged in our jail,                                                                                                                                                This approach was one of the first of its kind for a jail and
 we process over 50 new bookings                                                                                                                                                      provided important stability to vulnerable inmates.
 and releases daily.
                                                                                                                                                                                      Throughout the years this pod has evolved to integrate
                                                                                                                                                                                      creative strategies to help inmates stay successful during
                                                                                                                                                                                      their time in jail. Yoga, meditation and other forms of art
                                                                                                                                                                                      therapy have been integrated into inmate activities. Specially
                                                                                                                                                                                      trained staff continue to work with the special population
                                                                                                                                                                                      housed in this pod and are committed to providing a safe,
                                                                                                                                                                                      secure and supportive environment.






                                                                                                                                    “Almost every inmate we see will eventually return to the community. We do our

                                                                                                                                    best to help them return healthier than when they came in. Dedicated medical,
                                                                                                                                    mental health and life skill program staff work daily with deputies to provide
                                                                                                                                    comprehensive care to inmates which ultimately improves the safety  and security

                                                                                                                                    of everyone in the jail.”
                                                                                                                                    - CHIEF DEPUTY JOHN KOCH
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