Sheriff Heiss says jail is unsafe

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Public Safety : County Sheriff

Sheriff Heiss says jail is unsafe; 'Just a matter of time before an

event of catastrophic proportions occurs'

Apr 2, 2008

digitalBURG.com - Warrensburg,MO*

http://www.digitalburg.com/artman/publish/article_4641.shtml

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The 30-year-old County Jail is " the

single largest source of liability exposure to the county today, "

according to Sheriff Heiss. " The conditions at the jail have

deteriorated beyond repair. "

Heiss has submitted a report on the jail's conditions to Circuit

Court Clerk Elkins, which includes recommendations on how

to finance a new jail.

The building known as the County Jail originally served as a

Safeway grocery store from the mid-1950s to 1977, when it was then

converted to the jail and the sheriff's offices. Some of the current

problems with the jail are due to its structure.

" The building was originally designed to meet the operational needs

of a grocery store, " Heiss said. " It was not intended to meet the

diverse needs and demands of a modern county jail. Because the

original designers did not intend for the building to house a jail,

it is apparent that the building is woefully inadequate for

continued service in this capacity. "

Heiss says the jail is a fire risk to both jailers and inmates. A

large wooden attic space and files and other flammable objects lay

above the offices and cell block. There is no alarm system and the

attic has previously been a source of escape. The jail also has a

lack of adequate fire exits, which would make a full-scale

evacuation in the event of a major fire nearly impossible, Heiss

said.

" I cannot find the words to adequately express the grave concern

that I have regarding this issue, " Heiss said. " I fear it is only a

matter of time before an event of catastrophic proportions occurs in

the county jail. "

The jail is covered by a wooden bowstring roof that, according to

Heiss, increases the risk of fire from lighting strikes and

electrical failures. Heiss said that the roof has many leaks in it,

resulting in " significant damage to ceiling tiles and electronic

equipment. These conditions are made worse by the leaking pipes and

cooling units located in the attic, " Heiss said.

The air in the jail is stagnant, as there are no exterior windows in

the building. Along with leaky pipes, the air quality has

contributed to mold build-up.

" The poor circulation and poor filtration of the air has caused a

build up of mold and mildew in the ducts and around the air vents, "

Heiss said. " Mold is visible on many of the vents in the work areas

of the sheriff's office. Many employees, including myself, have long

suffered from sinus infections and other respiratory illnesses. "

Heiss cited an employee who suffered a major respiratory illness

that resulted in extended medical treatment. The employee's

condition improved when he was away from the work environment, but

returned when he went back to work.

" I have not attempted to calculate the lost time illnesses

associated with the poor air quality, but I believe the impact of

such illnesses is significant and cannot be ignored, " Heiss

said. " If this issue is not resolved, the county could face

increased liability and potential litigation from employees and

inmates. "

Heiss views the plumbing system in " very poor condition, "

and " nothing short of a maze of pipes and valves that have been

repeatedly patched and pieced together. "

The jail possesses just one shower facility, as the dormitory

showers were shut down because they were unfit for use. Leaks in the

plumbing have caused mortar joints in the walls to crumble. Heiss

said that this makes it possible for inmates to scrape and dig at

the walls to remove loose blocks. Several inmates tried to exploit

the situation last summer.

Heiss sees the booking area as small and cramped. Litigation and

increased liability have been a result of physical struggles that

have resulted in injury to jailers and offenders. Computers, radios

and phones have all been damaged due to these confrontations.

There is just one entrance to the jail, which is shared by inmates,

staff and the public. Citizens are put at risk, he said, as they are

exposed to the offenders when they enter or exit the facility.

Escape attempts have resulted, due to the lack of a secure reception

area, which would allow for the transfer of inmates to the court or

the Department of Corrections.

The jail's kitchen is another area of concern for Heiss, because of

its size and unsanitary condition. The kitchen measures 20x14, or

280 square feet. which Heiss says is not much larger than the

average residential kitchen.

Total meals prepared from 2006 and 2007 were 61,525, with an average

daily meal cost per imate in 2007 of $3.72. Heiss says that price

could be significantly decreased with a larger storage facility that

would house foods bought at wholesale prices. Currently, most of the

food is bought at retail prices.

In past inspections, the health department cited proper

sterilization as a major concern. Inmates clean many of the dishes

and kitchen utensils, because the jail lacks a commercial

dishwasher.

" Food preparation surfaces, such as counter tops and tables, are

insufficient and unsanitary, " Heiss said. " In short, the kitchen is

outfitted and equipped more like a large residential kitchen and is

not adequate to meet the commercial demands of the jail. "

Jail records have shown that 2,400 inmates were processed in 2007,

and 25,000 in the past decade.

" These numbers illustrate the enormous responsibilities that go

along with managing the County Jail, " Heiss said. " As

County continues to grow, the level of activity at the jail

and the demand for jail services will continue to rise.

County's exposure to liability will also continue to increase, if

the current facility needs are not met. "

Heiss stressed his concerns when discussing the overall conditions

of the County Jail.

" The overall condition of the County Jail is poor at best, "

Heiss said. " Each day, the members of my staff must overcome an

atmosphere that is hostile to their health and safety, while they

attempt to provide for the health and safety of the people

incarcerated at the jail, " he told the court. " It's just a matter of

time before an event of catastrophic proportions occurs at the

County Jail. "