Jail Expansion Could Have Cost Taxpayers So Much Less by Erich Overhultz

[Forum Member]

As a Haywood County resident and retired lieutenant with 30 years experience in the field of corrections, I remain disappointed in the way elected officials have fumbled the issue of expanding our county's needed ( and long overdue) jail expansion.

Now the latest estimates from construction contractors hover around $21 million, and residents are being told to expect rises on their property taxes. Before we get further behind the 8-ball, it is critically important that key decision makers get this right. This means not only looking at construction costs, but future operational costs which will easily eclipse what we are spending to build the jail.

One thing that commissioners should do, before signing off on blueprints, is look at direct supervision jails. It is a model that operationally saves money, because they require fewer deputies to operate. Rather than having a control room deputy in an isolated room, another deputy working in the housing units, and yet another deputy to transport inmates to other parts of the jail for (visitation, infirmary/ medical treatment, recreation yard, religious services, attorney visits, etc.), smart architectural design in direct supervision jails cut down on manpower needed, reducing operational costs, thus saving taxpayers money.

Direct supervision jails are designed so that in-house activities where inmates were previously transported to, are immediately adjacent to the common dayroom where inmates congregate, and the housing deputy still has inmates in these areas within sight and sound. A second deputy can be used to help with other necessary activities such as feeding, supervision of medication dispensing, etc., but overall the fewer staff needed to operate is a savings.

Furthermore, in true direct supervision jails, there are no barriers between the deputy and inmates. Communications between the officer and inmates is improved, the officer has greater control over his/her unit, and the officer's continued presence in the unit reduces illegal/unwanted activity, inmate cliques, and propensity towards violent behavior. Studies over the years have shown fewer fights and disciplinary problems.

I have worked in both traditional and direct supervision jails over the course of my career; in terms of efficiency, safety, and cost-savings, direct supervision jails are preferable.

I encourage our local officials to explore such options.

Erich Overhultz





Mr. Morehead:

I will stop pursuing this issue; it is quite apparent that a meeting under these circumstances would be a waste of time.
I do appreciate you responding to my inquiries; the lack of response and genuine interest by elected officials in this county is quite apparent, and sad.

I have no personal interest at stake other than improving public safety, getting the most bang for the tax dollar, and improving work conditions for others working in the correctional field. I
am speaking out not only as a county taxpayer, but also as someone who actually has worked on the front lines and in a managerial capacity of corrections for 30 years.

I have no reason to question Mosely's architectural capabilities, however they are coming from the perspective of a company who already has a contract, with plans to go, and money waiting on the table. Their claims in regard to actual operations are flawed, and I would be remiss if I did not refute some of Mosely's claims.

First, the claim of direct supervision increasing staffing costs by 35% is ridiculous- how is it in Broward County that I went from managing an area in a podular indirect supervision facility with 1500 inmates and around 60 sworn officers per shift- to a podular direct supervision facility of 1300 inmates and roughly 35 sworn staff per shift? It was because of smart intentional architectural design.

The citing of having to provide for relief, due to lunch breaks, vacation time, people calling in sick, training, etc. is a non- argument, because one has to factor in those associated costs with any type of a facility, whether linear, indirect supervision podular, or direct supervision podular.

Similarly, the comment about having to man a post 24/7/365 makes no sense either; when a Sheriff has just one inmate in his custody, he must provide for the care, custody, and control of that inmate. So yes, posts involving the supervision of inmates must be filled- this holds true no matter what type of a facility a county chooses to go with. There are certain types of posts that can, and are shutdown at times for various reasons, but bottom line is, you can not leave inmates unsupervised.

As far as turnover goes, my experience and observations were different. At the Broward Sheriff's Office, we had a seniority based bidding system where officers would bid once a year on the post they preferred. I noticed the trend that many of the senior officers were opting for the direct supervision facilities, because it not only worked better, but was overall a less stressful environment. As far as attracting and retaining staff in today's world, isn't this a challenge in nearly every line of work?

It is unfortunate that public comment was not included in the initial hearings; rather, it seems that lack of transparency has carried the day. As I mentioned at the last public commission meeting, I agree 100% with our sheriff that a jail complex is needed. I only wish that voices of reason and experience would play some role in shaping the decision making process.

Thank you again for your time.

Erich Overhultz
Saunook


On Feb 22, 2023 9:31 AM, Bryant Morehead <Bryant.Morehead@haywoodcountync.gov> wrote:
Mr. Overhultz,

I’ve blind copied the full BOC on this email and copied Sheriff Wilke.

We reached out to Moseley, we actually shared your comments from the meeting with them, to address your concerns. Below is some information I wanted to share with you. All of this information was discussed when the design phase was being discussed.


I’ll be glad to meet with you but considering how far along we are in the process and the confirmation from Moseley that the design is what many experts would consider best practices I’m not sure what we hope to accomplish. We need to be able to meet when the Sheriff or someone from his staff can also attend. Both folks from Moseley acknowledged your understanding of supervision but from our conversations with them I think that there have been fundamental changes to the approach of detention since you retired. I am confident that the design of the jail meets the needs of officer and inmate safety in a way that also takes into consideration the costs and challenges of staffing.

· Reducing staff by employing direct supervision is actually the opposite, direct supervision requires more staff. Direct supervision however at a minimum you will increase your staff by 35% simply by filling the required 24 hour post. In using the direct supervision method you will have to station an officer in every housing unit 24/7-365 but also will have to dedicate internal escort officers, employ shift relief officers to allow for breaks, time when officers are receiving training, observing holidays, taking vacation and sick leave time. Direct supervision only works when post are covered, in other words it does not work unless these post are always manned.

· In this time that hiring and retaining detention officers is very difficult we are actually seeing direct supervision facilities requesting modifications to change to in-direct. The gentleman was correct on some of his comments about being able to detect conflicts much easier, the officer can be in more control of that housing unit, I am familiar with the Broward County Detention center that he referenced. That facility is what is known as a campus design facility with dedicated units for each classification type, much like NC Division of Adult Corrections uses. Many of his comments were very valid, but just not truly applicable in today’s NC detention environment.

· One of the biggest down sides to employing direct supervision in today’s society where there is a vast shortage of certified detention officers is that officer turn-over is much higher in direct supervision now, than it was in years past due to type of offenders we are now seeing across the state.

· Inmate assaults on officers have increased, and several jails in NC have had to move inmates to other counties because of the lack of staff to properly supervise inmates.

Bryant Morehead | County Manager| Haywood County | 828-452-6625|Bryant.Morehead@HaywoodCountyNC.gov |



From: Erich Overhultz
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 5:12 PM
To: Bryant Morehead <Bryant.Morehead@haywoodcountync.gov>
Subject: RE: Direct supervision jails

Thank you for your quick response.

How does 11am-12 noon on 2/23 work for you?

On Feb 21, 2023 2:26 PM, Bryant Morehead <Bryant.Morehead@haywoodcountync.gov> wrote:
Mr. Overhultz,

I’ve copied Assistant Manager Kris Boyd and Sheriff Wilke on this email so they are aware of our conversation.

Your concerns have been sent to Moseley Architects to insure a thorough response. I hope to have something back to share with you very soon.

Just to let you know where we stand in the process, the detention center design is complete, approved by the State and the bid window is open with the expectation that we’ll have bids in hand for the 3/20 meeting.

It is my understanding the design by Mosely takes into consideration not only operating and personnel costs but also officer and inmate safety.

I’ll be glad to meet with you but the next couple of weeks are very busy with budget meetings. I have time from 11:00 – 12:00 on 2/23, 2:00-3:00 on 3/3, 2:00 – 3:00 on 3/8. I would like either Sheriff Wilke or someone from his staff to also be present, they are the subject matter experts and the input they have is critical to the conversation.

Please let me know if the dates/times work for you and we’ll get together.

Thanks,

Bryant

Bryant Morehead | County Manager| Haywood County | 828-452-6625|Bryant.Morehead@HaywoodCountyNC.gov |


From: Erich Overhultz
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 2:12 PM
To: Bryant Morehead <Bryant.Morehead@haywoodcountync.gov>
Subject: Direct supervision jails

Mr. Morehead:

I spoke out last night on the topic of direct supervision jails, as a suggestion for saving operational costs and creating an overall better correctional environment.

In regards to Mosely Architectural Firm, I have no doubts about their expertise in designing correctional facilities, especially in North Carolina. I am only suggesting that you ask this same firm about direct supervision facilities. From an operational standpoint it could save taxpayers a lot of money.


I would be willing to meet with you later this week to discuss in greater detail (3 minutes at the podium isn't enough to deliver the complete message). I also have enough connections at the Broward County Sheriff's Office still that I could arrange a trip so you and/or others interested could see how a direct supervision jail operates, and weigh the pros and cons.

Thanks for your time.

Erich Overhultz

[Forum Member]

Are County Commissioners listening to concerned citizens when they give options to consider bringing down the price of building a new jail or are they blinded by the fact they have already spent so much money on the planning phase of the new jail, they can't make any adjustments? Commissioner Terry Ramey was dismissed when he suggested looking at the original company who built the current jail the taxpayers are still paying payments on, because it was designed to add sections, or pods, to the original construction, which would cost the taxpayers so much less. Also, Retired Corrections Officer Erich Overhultz was dismissed when he suggested a "Direct Supervision Jail" would cost taxpayers so much less. I guess we will see how this all turns out because Tuesday Night, the Town of Waynesville Zoning Board of Adjustments will hear an appeal of the new jail by Hazelwood resident Peggy Hannah. The jail is being built in an area zoned "Government Services" which does not include the definition of a jail. Town Planner Elizabeth Teague is trying to claim it's not really a jail because the inmates are short term and they haven't been convicted yet.