WHITLEY CITY —
As Kentucky Department of Corrections inspector Mike Coomer made his final rounds Friday afternoon at the McCreary County Detention Center, Jailer Tony Ball and his staff crowded into the kitchen for a last supper of sorts.
It was the final day of operations for the facility after serving the county for more than four decades. The closing was ordered by DOC on December 11 following a five-month effort to resolve the state’s concerns about management and jail conditions.
By Friday at 4 p.m., the jail had been largely deserted as the remaining 35 male inmates had been transferred the night before to the Laurel County Detention Center — which will house local detainees for the foreseeable future at $27.50 per inmate per day.
As the solemn staff gathering broke up and other county officials — including Judge-Executive Doug Stephens and Magistrate Stan Cox — arrived, Jailer Ball led the group on an impromptu tour of the facility before joining the judge and Coomer for a final transfer of keys. The county can now use the property for any purpose not related to jail services.
How the building will be used is the least of immediate concern as county officials adjust to a new jail transport plan.
Initial protocol calls for McCreary 911 to contact the transport officer on call after an arrest has been made. Prisoner exchanges will be made at locations requested by the arresting officer. All prisoners will be transported to Laurel County, as county officials have yet to work out agreements with closer facilities such as Whitley and Pulaski jails for temporary incarcerations (less than 48 hours). If a transport officer is unavailable at the time of arrest, Sheriff Gus Skinner is to be contacted for further instructions.
While Ball will serve as the primary transport officer, Judge Stephens has issued an executive order pending fiscal court approval (meeting at 5 p.m. this evening) allowing for four part-time officers. Courthouse security staff Steven Cox, Jerry Anderson and Deborah Moses will be included with Jailer Ball on a scheduled roster with CSO Randy Garland providing backup as needed.
Judge Stephens noted that the full-time deputy jailers were notified but none expressed interest in a part-time position at this time. He also noted that, since courthouse security already transports juveniles, they are already trained for the duty.
A total of $270,000 has been allocated for the remainder of the fiscal year (ending June 30) to cover jail expenses with the revenue coming from General Fund ($178,500), Occupational Tax ($57,750), State ($11,250) and Carryover ($22,500). Appropriations include: Jailer ($50,000), Part-Time ($30,000), Training ($4,000), Inmate Housing ($150,000), Inmate Medical ($15,000), Vehicle Repair ($2,500), Vehicle Fuel ($10,000), Home Incarceration ($5,000), Telephone ($1,500), Communications ($1,000), and Miscellaneous ($1,000).
An additional $57,500 in (thus far) unfunded liabilities includes $25,000 for the 1986 jail expansion debt and $32,500 in outstanding bills.
Stephens also noted that Deputy Jailer Connie Swain is remaining on staff for the time being in order to close out the jail’s bookkeeping (particularly the commissary fund and inmate-related records).
The county has based its budget on a projection of 25-30 inmates per month. McCreary County Attorney Michele Wilson Jones has been working with circuit and district judges as well as Circuit Clerk Othel King’s office to expand the ankle bracelet monitoring system and establish a video system for court hearings.
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From left: McCreary County Judge-Executive Doug Stephens, Jailer Tony Ball, Deputy Judge Andrew Powell and DOC Jail Services Specialist Mike Coomer confer Friday afternoon during the closing inspection of the McCreary County Detention Center. Janie Slaven
The Last Hurrah
Jail closed Friday; inmates transported to Laurel County
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