Report says Whiteside County Jail improves
All areas of lockup are in compliance
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| Sheriff Kelly Wilhelmi |
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MORRISON – The Whiteside County Jail has improved in a number of areas over the last year, according to a state report.
In a December inspection, an official from the state Department of Corrections found all areas in compliance with state jail standards. Sheriff Kelly Wilhelmi presented the report to the County Board on Tuesday.
“I think we’re doing an excellent job, and that is reflected in the report,” Wilhelmi said. “We’re fortunate to have the staff we have.”
Among the improvements, the jail has upgraded its phone system for use as an investigative tool. The system also allows inmates to order commissary items and phone time.
The jail has improved its communications by giving all of its staff email accounts, according to the state report. Also, all video cameras throughout the jail can be monitored and recorded from the facility administrator’s office computer.
The state did make a couple of recommendations:
Because of the increasing inmate population and resulting workload, the county should hire an additional officer for the daytime shift, and it also should have an assistant jail administrator to help with the duties of the current administrator, Lt. Tim Erickson.
“We know we can’t do that. We don’t have the money,” said Sue Britt, chairwoman of the County Board’s Public Safety Committee.
Also at the County Board meeting, the board passed a resolution naming the five candidates for the county engineer’s position who will take the examination for the position.
The candidates are Matthew Farmer of Dixon, Marc A. Gebhardt of Sterling, Russell Renner of Walnut, Dennis Sims of Batavia and Geoff Smith of Dixon.
They are vying to replace Steve J. Haring, who resigned last month after he pleaded guilty to on-the-job misdemeanor theft. He was accused of having employees do private jobs for him while on the county clock.
Haring, who made $104,000 annually, was in the fifth year of a 6-year contract.
After the county hires an engineer, it plans to fill the assistant to the engineer’s position. John Bauscher has been in that position, but he has assumed many of the engineer’s duties since Haring’s exit.
In March, Bauscher plans to retire from the Whiteside County Highway Department after 37 years. He blew the whistle on Haring.
Improvements in the jail
– An electronic shock band is being purchased for high-security inmates to wear when other restraints aren’t authorized in the courtrooms.
– Two kiosks, one in the lobby and one in booking, originally for the deposit of bond money, can now be used to place money in inmate accounts for commissary and will also accept deposits from credit cards.
– Court access via video has now been expanded to three courtrooms and is used on a daily basis for all court proceedings that don’t require a court reporter.
– The inmate phone system has been upgraded for use as an investigative tool as well as allowing detainees to order commissary and phone time. The use of phone cards has been discontinued.
– The facility’s policy manual has been completely rewritten with additional information and updated material.
– The inmate orientation manual has been rewritten and updated.
– Communications between jail staff has been expanded by giving all such staff email accounts.
– All video cameras throughout the facility now can be monitored and recorded from the facility administrator’s office computer.
Source: Department of Corrections inspection report
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