Work on Jail Dorm Renovations Continues

Since 2019, the WCSO has fully renovated and refreshed almost every inch of the jail. New locks, cameras, and control systems were installed, and then work began on the aging facility.
 
Almost $1 million in funding was made available for the jail improvements in 2019. The locks were broken, and inmates were able to move freely inside the jail. Also, the outdated camera system in place was failing. The locks were repaired and old cameras were replaced with nearly 100 state-of-the-art cameras, marking one of the single largest improvement projects at the WCSO jail.
 
As recently as this year, the jail received $150,000 in grant funding to replace and upgrade the intercom system within the jail. These intercoms allow for quick communication between the dorms, and the central control operators. Also this year, opioid settlement monies were disbursed, and with it, our county was able to purchase revolutionary new technology to monitor inmate health. These monitors use RF and other advanced sensors to remotely detect and log inmate vital signs, such as respiration rate and heart rate.
 
The most important jail expansion didn’t involve a single paintbrush, however. We were able to partner with the Fellowship House, and we are one of the first jails in the nation to offer level one outpatient drug treatment. We can administer drug treatment options via our medical staff, and get people on their first steps to recovery, at no cost to the inmate.

These renovations are a part of a yearly program to freshen up each dorm, and is led by a team of trustees. This year, we've started off strong, and have completed two dorms, and look to finish by the end of the year.
 
We’re extremely proud of the work done to our facility, but even more so are we proud of those that work inside our jail, day in and day out. We especially commend the supervisors that have stuck in there over the years, and made our facility better, and became a positive influence on inmates’ lives. Your work does not go unnoticed. You are appreciated, and you choose to do a job that few can handle, and you handle it with fairness and poise. From the WCSO to our COs, thank you.