Twin investigations must help improve Jackson County jail

The two intensive investigations into what’s gone wrong at the Jackson County jail should lead to major changes that include better training and higher pay for guards.

County officials eventually should provide the public with clearly stated ways they will improve treatment of prisoners, safety for guards and efficient use of taxpayer dollars at the detention center.

Just how badly the county has bungled one of its most important basic services is not yet clear.

An ongoing FBI probe should help answer some of those questions, which originally centered on the accusation that a few guards used excessive force on inmates at the jail. Subsequent troubling allegations have surfaced that also need close scrutiny.

In addition, the newly formed Jackson County Department of Corrections Task Force is poised to provide crucial guidance as it meets to discuss a variety of issues and what should be done about them.

Members of the public can provide their own ideas on how to improve jail conditions at the next meeting, which begins at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Mohart Multipurpose Center, 3200 Wayne Ave. Public discussion is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.

As The Star has reported, Jackson County pays its civilian guards far lower wages than other local counties, starting at $11.45 an hour. That leads to high turnover, which affects how well trained the guards are, as well as the quality of people who apply for the job.

This week, the county human resources director made an excellent point at a task force meeting: Paying higher wages to guards could save taxpayer funds in the long run.

Guards would stay in the job longer, which would reduce overtime as well as training costs. Some guards have complained about mandatory overtime, which heightens stress and, they say, might have contributed to abuse of inmates.

As some legislators have noted, if prisoners file lawsuits against the county, the costs of this problem could mount for taxpayers. Avoiding future suits would be another positive outcome of improvements in jail conditions.

The allegations of prisoner abuse raise concerns about the oversight of County Executive Mike Sanders, his staff and the county Legislature. They are tasked, collectively, with making sure Jackson County effectively uses public dollars to provide basic services. And running the corrections center is close to the top of that list.

In recent months, Sanders and county staff have had to correct major flaws in reassessment, another high-priority county service. The same kind of attention to detail will be needed to resolve the jail’s current troubles.

The Legislature likely will have to focus on how to increase guard pay while controlling the overall detention center budget. Sanders and others have to take the cost issue into account as the 2016 budget takes shape.

The public must have full confidence that Jackson County is running a jail that properly cares for the prisoners placed in its custody.

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 2:34 PM with the headline "Twin investigations must help improve Jackson County jail."