The Lake County Adult Detention Facilities processed 6,551 inmates into two jail facilities in 2007.  This is 1,246 more bookings then in 1993.  However, in 1993 37% of the jail’s population was comprised of inmates from outside the Lake County courts, otherwise known as rented bed space. (1993 we averaged 120 billable inmates per day).  Given the fact that, in 2007 only 8% of the jails’ population was from rented bed space to outside agencies (28 of the 343 inmates per day), in 2007 we booked in over 2,500 more Lake County court charged inmates then we did in 1993. 

            The dramatic increase of inmates incarcerated under the Lake County court system over the past 10 years has greatly impacted the availability of jail beds.  The average daily population of inmates being housed on Lake County charges ( i.e. not being housed for agencies outside of Lake County ) averaged 306 Lake County inmates per day.   Note, this is an increase of 65% over 1993 when the jail averaged 206 inmates charged under the Lake County courts.   

            In 2007 the Maximum Security jail (104 East Erie Street) and the Minimum Security jail (2025 Blasé-Nemeth Road) managed a daily population average of 334 inmates. (Reference the 2007 Daily Population Averages for overview).  Of the 334 inmates housed each day, 272 were males and 57 were females.  While our average male population has dropped below its highest average of 332 per day in the year 2002, the female population continues to stay 87% above its 30 per day average in the year 1993.  This is a reflection the national trend of significant increases in women being incarcerated across the United States.  

            To address the increasing female population and its unique impact on the community and criminal justice system, the Lake County Adult Detention facility created the WITTS program managed by Lt. Cynthia Brooks.  As Lt. Brooks states: 

            “Most inmates will leave the jail setting and return back to the community.  Those who entered the jail in a state of crisis will return back to the streets with the same crisis due to inadequate transitioning planning.  Without transitional planning it compromises public safety, increases homelessness, suicide, behavioral and health problems, new criminal offenses and re-arrest.  With more than 650,000 prisoners being released nationwide each year, policymakers and practitioners at the federal, state, and local levels must provide offenders with resources and linkages to agencies to assists them with a good transition back into society." 

            The Lake County Correctional system continues to address the issues of transitioning back into society through the development and growth of the Women In Transition Through Support program (W.I.T.T.S.).  The program is geared towards facilitating quality changes in the lives of female offenders.”  

            A total of 1,373 women participated in the W.I.T.T.S. program for 2007 to increase their employment skills, develop positive relationship values and support, elevate their educational level, build self-esteem, control choices through anger management, build strength through drug and alcohol treatment, as well as developing strong family structures.  . (Reference the 2007 WITTS Review for overview). 

            In studying the inmate population, in 2007 the jail system averaged 148 Misdemeanor inmates per day, and 168 Felony inmates.  This is the first year we have averaged more Felons per day then we did Misdemeanors.  Of these inmates, 72% were Caucasian, 25% were African-American, 2.5% were Hispanic, and .5% were Asian. 

            In 2007 we averaged 17 US Marshal prisoners per day (inmates charged under the Federal courts) , as well as 11 Out-Of-County inmates per day.  These “billable” agencies reimbursed the County $66.54 for each day they had a prisoner incarcerated in the Lake County jail.  The “billable population” returned $643,811 to the General Fund of Lake County.  This housing program has helped off-set the significant expenses the jail facilities face in housing today’s inmate populations.  

▸          Since 1993 over $25 million dollars has been generated and returned to the General Fund through rented jail bed space 

            Lt. Robert Hungerford reported a successful year at the Minimum Security jail facility which opened in February of 2001.   In 2007 the Pay-For-Stay program collected a total pay in of $78,571.62. In 2007, 191 male work release and 28 female work release have participated in the Pay-For-Stay program.  .  Lt. Hungerford reports “A total of 12 work release lost their jobs upon incarceration and 9 declined to be on work release because they could not afford to pay the 20% of their net earnings.  In 2005 a total of 470 inmates participated in inmate programming at the MSJ with the same amount of 470 for the year 2006.  In 2005, 208 males and 27 females were in the work release program and in 2006, 208 males and 24 females were in the work release program. Inmates that walk away from the work release or school release program are charged with escape.  In 2007 a total of 7 inmates were Absent With Out Leave (AWOL) compared to in 2006, which had a total of 7 inmates that were (AWOL) and all were charged accordingly. A total of 4 inmates in 2007 were released each day to continue their high school or college education.  In 2006 a total of 7 inmates participated in the school release program.  These inmates are not required to pay for their stay however, they are required to participate in other inmate programming.” 

            The increased jail populations have directly affected many aspects of Correctional management.   Medical and Mental Health are examples that witnessed significant increases in demand for services. 

            In 2007 the dispensary of the jail examined over 6,412 inmates were seen by the doctor and nurses in the jail dispensary.  This is an average of 535 inmates seen per month.  Besides the daily medical problems that normally exist (colds, flu, etc) the medical staff treated health conditions such as: numerous pregnant females at one time, daily maintenance of numerous diabetic inmates (10-20) requiring daily insulin injections, treatment of inmates with HIV and/or AIDS, gun shot wounds received prior to incarceration, heart problems, an aging inmate population, and dental treatment.  Jail Physician Dr. Carla Baster, and medical programming co-ordinator Anne Takacs, RN, as well as Jane Lunceford, RN, Rhonda Webb, RN, and  Carolyn Barbish, LPN worked together to insure the best possible medical treatment to an inmate population that did not have a very good history of medical maintenance and care prior to their incarceration. They made such achievements through the best possible cost containment measures available to them without reducing the necessary quality of care that helped this facility achieve State certification.  (Reference the 2007 Medical Services Report for overview) 

            The cost of medical services declined in 2007 to $515,707, a decrease of about $6,000 over 2006.  Yet is serves as a constant reminder of the increasing cost of medical programming in the coming years.  Pressing issues in 2008 include responding to growing demands by the judiciary to provide 24 hour medical care by licensed doctors and nursing staff, as well as the continual plague of frivolous jail litigation by inmates. 

            The Medical Staff continues to work diligently to reduce the costs of medical services.  By working with the ADAMHS Board and Neighboring they have continued the connection to the Central Pharmacy in Columbus.  Since its inception approximately one year and half ago using this connection they were able to obtain 107 prescriptions.  The cost was paid for by the Ohio Department of Mental Health, saving Lake County $12,142.            

            Unfortunately, the Correctional Facilities continue to witness a dramatic increase in the mental health needs of the expanded inmate population.  The Mental Health professionals received over 1,361 referrals.   The part-time psychiatrist contracted to the jail was called in to consult on 174 individuals on 311 occasions due to the seriousness of their mental health conditions.  ( Reference the 2007 Mental Health Services Report for overview ) 

            Yet, the jail remains committed to the mission of Sheriff Dan Dunlap to return inmates back to society better then when they first came to our doors.  To this end the Corrections facilities continued in 2007 to develop and expand programming intended to meet such goals. 

            In 2007 Inmate Programming and Services continued to grow in the number of volunteers participating in Inmate Programming under the co-ordination of Lt. Robert Hungerford.  In 2007 145 volunteers from outside of the facility donated over 2,600 hours of service to the Correctional Facilities, serving  a weekly average of 289 inmates.  In total the combined attendance at all inmate programming throughout 2007 equaled 15,040 inmates. They provided such valuable services as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Men and Women’s bible study, Non-Denominational Church services, Catholic Church services, Library Services, GED Programming, and Men’s A.A. Recovery programming.   ( Reference the 2007 Inmate Programming Report for overview ) 

            Jail Services continued such programming through Anger Management Education groups and Anger Management Therapy provided by Western Reserve Counseling.  Neighboring and Adult Probation assisted through Chemical Dependency Aftercare, as well as Mental Health Counseling and Consultation.  Much of this was paid for through a grant through the local ADAMS Board.  (Reference the 2007 Jail Services Report for over view ) 

            In August 1993 the Jail Treatment program was established to reduce recidivism related to chemical dependency (Drugs and Alcohol ), as well as other related behaviors.  Further, it was established to link dependant inmates to services intended to increase their chances for recovery through services such as mental health, anger management, and community based rehabilitation programs.  In 2007 a total of 343 inmates completed the program.  (Reference the 2007 Jail Treatment for over view ). 

            Training is key to the development of the detention facilities, as well as the best defense possible in achieving the safe and secure operations of the jails.  The State of Ohio demands that all Correction Officers receive 24 hours of in-service training each year.  Given the fact that there are 106 Correction Officers this translates to 2,544 hours of training.  Such a demand could exert an enormous financial burden on the Sheriff’s budget should such required training not be approached in an innovative manner.  I am happy to report that Officers received in excess of 40 hours of in-service training each, totaling nearly 4,240 hours of in-service training at a cost of less then $7,000.  Translated, this is a cost of about 1.65 cents per training hour.  (Reference the 2007 Training Report for Training overview ).  This training and financial success is due to the innovation of the Corrections Division Training Team members who used their skills to provide cost effective quality training to increase the professionalism of our staff.

           I encourage everyone to review all of the detailed annual reports from all of jail programs which review in detail that which I have highlighted here in this annual report.  Such collaborative efforts as I have highlighted here illustrate the dedication of the members of the Corrections Division to meet the growing demands placed on it with an expanding jail population.   Such confidence is marked by the proven excellence and dedication of the men and women that make up the Corrections staff ( Correction Officers, Doctors, Nurses, Cooks, Counselors, Maintenance Staff...).  Our success is truly possible only through their efforts, labored over 24 hours day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  Thanks to all of them, Corrections is working in Lake County, Ohio !    

 

 

 

Capt. Frank J. Leonbruno
Jail Administrator