Polk County’s new jail has brought a new level of safety for correctional officers and a significant difference in conditions for inmates. With one glaring exception -- a set of circumstances that allowed a jail break, which Sheriff Bill Davis said has been corrected -- the jail has been meeting expectations. He said the jail has a committed staff that is doing a good job. “We’re fortunate to have a good staff,” he said, noting they have a big responsibility with a lot of duties to perform. He said most of the officers are county residents.

There are currently 21 correctional officers, although Davis said three more are needed for the best coverage and will also make it possible to get certification for the facility. That, he said, will reduce liability and could bring a reduction in insurance costs. The officers work 12-hour shifts, with four days on and four days off. Nine of the correctional officers are female, Davis said, noting females are needed for the booking area and rovers on all shifts.

Jail Administrator Ricky Hale handles the paperwork, works with the state correctional institute, determines the board bill for the state, keeps track of sentencing times, and deals with inmate grievances.

During the day shift, there are six officers on duty -- two in the booking area, two in the control tower, and two rovers, who move throughout the facility. Every hour of every day, an officer goes to every pod and cell to count inmates, not only to make sure they are there but also to make sure they are okay. All jailers are trained for all areas so they can fill in as needed. Davis said he tries to keep one officer as a “greeter” to meet the public needs at a window connecting to the Justice Center, and also do bookkeeping and paperwork, but this is not always possible. There are not as many officers on the night shift, so there are not always two people in the booking area, he said.

Within the secure area, there are double doors leading to the various areas. The officer in the control tower has to be contacted to open the first door; the second door will not open until the first door is closed.

When a suspect is brought into the jail, the patrol car enters the “sally port” and the door closes behind the car before the suspect is allowed out of the car. Double doors lead into the booking area, where the deputy turns the suspect over to a correctional officer. For other agencies, such as city police, there is a room for the officer to fill out the paperwork, which is given to the booking officer through a window. In the booking area, there is a window for the bail bondsman.

As an arrestee is booked in, the officers puts information into a computer, takes a picture and fingerprints. The booking area includes a secure cell, separate showers for males and females and a clothing room. After the shower, clothing and blankets are issued and the inmate’s clothes are washed and set aside until release. There is a room for the nurse to check out an inmate if necessary. Once the inmate is assigned to a cell, he does not leave the secure area again, other than court appearances, until released. They are not allowed to bring in or receive anything from outside.

There are several pods with two-person cells and also a six- or eight-person cell, with male and female inmates separated. The cells, which contain only a bed, sink and toilet, open into a day room area with tables, a television, telephone and shower area. Other than lockdown times from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and during the evening shift change, inmates are allowed to come out of their cells into the day room, although they cannot go back and forth at will. They can communicate with the control tower as needed. The officer in the control tower can see into the day room areas and report any problems to the rover. “When they’re out, this is a busy place,” Hale said.

There are also dormitory rooms with eight sets of bunk beds in an open area that are used for jail trustees and low-risk inmates like DUI offenders who come to serve 48 hours.

Inmates in these areas have access to rooms to meet with attorneys and the recreation area, where windows provide fresh air and sunshine.

In addition, there is a maximum security area where inmates must stay in their cells for 23 hours daily. These rooms include showers. Only one inmate at a time is allowed to spend an hour in the day room area.

Hale said fights are rare, noting the officers keep a close watch on developments in the pods. If problems develop, there are various levels of discipline, from taking away phone and commissary privileges to isolation. Inmates decide among themselves what to watch on television, he said, noting the officer in the tower can turn off the television and telephone if disputes arise.

The inmates are responsible for cleaning their own cells and the day room. Trustees and officers clean up other areas of the Justice Center in the evening. Inmates also do the laundry, with females working during the day and males in the evening. Hale said inmates wanting a work detail are screened and watched before duties are assigned. Inmates with a history of violence or sex offenses are not allowed on the road crew. An officer is with inmates who leave the secure area for work detail. Inmates are not paid for work detail, although state inmates can receive sentence reduction credits.

Visitation is for one hour a week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Inmates remain in the pod, where there are booths with video cameras connected to booths and monitors in the public area. There is no physical connection.

Inmates receive two meals a day -- breakfast and dinner, which are provided through a contracted company. Meals are planned by a dietitian and inmates assist in the preparation of meals, which are eaten in the day room.  Special meals are provided where needed. Inmates can order snack foods, as well as items like socks and underwear, from the commissary, which delivers once a week. There is no smoking in the jail for inmates or employees, who must go outside if they want to smoke.

The justice center has around 60 cameras monitoring both inside and outside. The cameras mounted outside the building show the parking area, can provide a panoramic view and also zoom in so an officer can see activity all the way to Hwy. 314.

For inmates with court appearances, there is a connection from the secure area of the jail into holding cells for  the Courtroom. Inmates do not go into the public area of the Justice Center and are not allowed to have contact with the public in the courtrooms. Suspects who come to court and are sentenced to immediate jail time are taken to the holding area until they can be booked in.

Medical services are available at the jail through a contract, other than for serious illness or injury. Glynis Barrett, an LPN, is on duty daily, as well as being on call 24/7, and there are others who come in for four hours each weekend day. A physician is on call and comes to the facility weekly. Barrett gets medical information on each inmate and provides a physical for those who are to stay 14 days or more, as required; all inmates are given a skin test for tuberculoses.

Barrett packages any medications needed by an inmate, which are administered twice daily. For those with Diabetes, blood sugar levels are checked twice a day and those needing insulin are observed while they administer it to themselves.

If there is a serious accident or illness, the nurse stabilizes the inmate and calls EMS, but Barrett said this is rare. If needed, x-ray equipment is brought to the jail and she can handle cuts, abrasions and most injuries. She said she can normally tell if an inmate is just wanting to get out for a while.

A dental room is being set up to provide basic services. Isolation cells are available for inmates with a communicable disease.

Church services are held on Monday night with a minister going to each pod. Anger management classes are held weekly, and jail staff are working with Margaret Swafford to provide GED classes.

The inmates’ day starts with breakfast at 7:15. It ends with lights out at 11 p.m.