The current number of “in-county” bed requirements for our District, Circuit and Family/Juvenile Courts averages around 75 beds per day with the balance of beds being currently rented to the US Marshall Service.  Different proposals are being tossed around Sanilac County calling for a variety of new size jails.

            The only financing and re-payment plans being proposed by the jail proponents calls for private financing through local banks or the sale of $16.6 million in bonds.  Last but not least is the proposal to assess a 1/2 mill for 5 or 6 years on all taxable property located in Sanilac County.

            After reviewing every scrap of paper supposedly generated by the Board of Commissioners and Sheriff over the past 4 years supporting their varied beliefs that a new jail is our only viable solution, I and others have come to the conclusion that little to nothing has been done by the County on a serious renovation plan for the existing jail structure.  One can debate the intent of the parties involved, but every study and report generated has been directed towards constructing a new jail. 

            New jail opponents like myself are skeptical of the success of such a plan and have called for cheaper renovations of the existing jail structure to service the needs of our County.  Such a plan is feasible without increasing property taxes or encumbering the future generations of county residents.

            Under the alternative sentencing program I have been discussing publically in the press and on the radio this past year, I believe as District Judge, and with the added cooperation of the Circuit and Family/Juvenile Judges that Sanilac County can generate sufficient income to pay for a renovation program of the existing jail without costing the tax payers one additional cent.

            The District Court uses the most “in-county” jail beds because of the high number of criminal cases administered by that Court.  If the District Court can reduce the required beds usage by 10 or 15 per day the County can generate an additional net income of $300,000.00 to $450,000.00 annually which can be earmarked exclusively to renovate the existing jail.  Each existing jail bed rented generates the County approximately $30,000.00 annually in income.  For each “in-county” bed not used by the local courts the jail is free to rent the space to the US Marshall Service with absolutely no additional costs to the tax payers.

            With the cooperation of the Circuit and Family/Juvenile Judges perhaps 5 additional beds could be found as well.  Between the three county courts the increased use of alternative sentencing could free up 20 beds which can generate over $600,000.00 annually in net income to Sanilac County without building a single new cell or selling a single bond.  This plan would generate pure profit at no additional risk or expense to the county tax payers.

            With expanded use by the courts of day reporting, tethering, house arrest, counseling, work crew and community service the county could generate the necessary money to renovate the existing county jail without encumbering the next generation of county tax payers.

            If Sanilac County can borrow between $3 to $5 million from private financers we can renovate the existing jail as needed using the addition income generated from the alternative sentencing plan I am proposing to repay the debt without exposing the tax payers to millions of dollars in liability for 20 or 30 years as is currently being proposed by the Board of Commissioners. 

            Interest at 7% per annum from a local bank or banks on $3 million is approximately $210,000.00 per year (the interest for which I believe the county can negotiate at a lower rate) is approximately $210,000.00 per year.  The District Court alone can cover the annual cost of this interest and principal without the participation of the other two courts in the alternative sentencing plan.  If the other two courts would actively participate in the plan the balance of money generated from those bed rentals could speed up the repayment and create a permanent fund for future jail repairs and renovations which Sanilac County has never been able to achieve. 

           IMPORTANT READING

    For further information regarding jail expansion problems currently experienced across America, please visit the web site located at www.justicepolicy.org  and reveiw the study entitled Jailing Communities: The Impact of Jail Expansion and Effective Public Safety Strategies, dated April 1st, 2008.  Left click on (READ REPORT), then Left click on (FULL REPORT) to access the compete study. 

      This is a very imformative report regarding the problems facing communities that expand jail facilties just like the one being proposed for Sanilac County. 

      You will need Adobe Reader to review the report.