Now that most everyone agrees Henry County needs a new jail, it is up to the county council to figure out how to pay for it.
Consultant James Robertson told county leaders and elected officials from the City of New Castle “there’s not a no-cost solution for Henry County” when it comes to fixing the jail.
The Henry County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee (CJCC) commissioned Robertson to analyze the entire local criminal justice system.
The main focus of Robertson’s public presentation Tuesday was on the Henry County Jail.
Robertson painted a picture last week of an overcrowded facility that actually prevents the county from helping citizens who have broken the law.
“It is a tough building for staff. It is a tough building for inmates. And it is a tough building for public safety,” Robertson said.
Robertson said the jail is not just overcrowded in terms of actual beds. It regularly houses too many people for the sheriff and jail staff to safely manage inmates who need special attention, he said.
Robertson suggested that the county hire a case facilitator whose job would be specifically making sure every jail inmate would get “the same justice sooner” and wouldn’t languish behind bars for no reason.
Robertson said the county is already moving in the right direction when it comes to reforming the way it deals with people who cross the law.
“Here in Henry County, there is a real commitment to try do some good stuff,” he said. “It’s not easy, and it won’t happen overnight.”
Henry County Commissioner Kim Cronk, who is also a former sheriff, said the county doesn’t need another “jail,” it needs a correctional facility that concentrates on all parts of incarceration.
“All we’re doing right now is put them (inmates) in jail, release them, put them in jail,” Cronk said. “We have to find, as a community, how do we educate them ... how do we help them get into the workforce environment ... try to develop them and empower them to help themselves.”
Henry County Council member Clay Morgan, a member of the CJCC, agreed that a focus on rehabilitation would be best for the citizens of Henry County.
“There’s more to it than just throwing people behind bars,” Morgan said.
Morgan said a new facility has to be able to protect the public from people who are a threat, while also providing support to help the folks in jail who want help and need help.
Money talks
“There’s no way we’re going to build any facility without raising additional taxes,” Cronk said Tuesday.
Heidi Amspaugh, financial advisor from H. J. Umbaugh & Associates, explained some financing options to county leaders after Robertson’s presentation.
Amspaugh did not have specific figures because there isn’t an official project yet. However, she did have information on a new state law specifically about funding county jails.
Starting this year, the Henry County Council has the authority to create a 0.2 percent local income tax (LIT) to cover the cost of a new correctional and rehabilitation facility.
Amspaugh said the county can also cover costs by raising property taxes. This option, called a referendum, would appear on a public ballot during a future election.
The Henry County Commissioners are working on a specific plan for a new jail now and will bring it before the county council at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 22.
If the Henry County Council accepts that plan and timeline, they will then have to decide how to raise the necessary tax revenue to make the plan happen.