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By Tate McCotter, NIJO Executive Director KEY ISSUES: Anyone who has worked a short time in intake or booking can quickly justify the need for conducting searches of those being admitted.  There are countless documented circumstances in every facility where arrestees have tried to smuggle in various types of contraband, reporting everything from loaded revolvers,…

By Tate McCotter, NIJO Executive Director KEY ISSUES: Prison reform has been on the radar for a number of years with political promises to reduce recividism and tight state budgets.  However, for many of our jails, this reform has become a matter of moving one population from prison to jails, who have experienced significant increases…

By Tate McCotter, NIJO Executive Director KEY ISSUES: What is the value for a jail administration of keeping documentation of sanitation and maintenance efforts in the jail?  Consider the following circumstances. In Nassau County, NY, inmate Peter Solomon claimed a rodent came out of a hole in his mattress and bit him on the penis. …

By Tate McCotter, NIJO Executive Director KEY ISSUES: I was recently invited to attend a closed door meeting with numerous state sheriffs to discuss concerns about some recent in-custody deaths.  One particular legislator had publicly declared intentions to create legislation to “fix” the problems of suicides in jails in the state.  Those representing the sheriffs…

KEY ISSUES: While jail operations isn’t necessarily something championed during election time, it is probably a reality check for some sheriffs that may have only seen a sallyport door before an election to inherit an 800 lb baby jail with constant physical needs, ongoing maintenance and upkeep, requires your attention 24-7, costs a lot of…

KEY ISSUES: Picture this scenario.  The local PD drives through the sally port with a drop off in your jail. “Don’t worry about him – he got in a little accident with a chase we had.  He was drinking but it will wear off and he will be fine,” says the arresting PD officer. Your…