Putnam County Sheriff makes case for a new jail

It has been an issue that has been discussed quite a bit over the last year and Putnam County Sheriff Jerrod Baugh tackled it head on, making a case for a new jail recently on Giant FM.

Baugh, who appeared on Putnam People, said four times last year the jail had more people in it than available beds. 

"We work with the justice system and the judges on an hourly basis during daylight, regular business hours to mitigate that slightly. It's an issue and it's a 30 year old jail. I would love to have 35 people in there. There is nothing Sheriff Baugh would love more than our jail commander tell me we have 35 because that is what it was built for," Baugh said. 

Baugh said the need for a new jail is "real."

"The a answer is we don't need one. That would be fantastic. We need one. I am in this job for the profession and serving my community, not for the pension. When I say I don't mean that to be rude, but I am going to tell you the truth. It's like bridges in the county. I work close with the county council and commissioners and they are all great people. Everyone who sets on those boards love this place," Baugh said. 

He said he understands the county is "restrained financially," but he also understands the current facility is a 30 year old jail that is full. 

"Nobody wants to raise taxes, and I work with the commissioners and county council but I am also not going to kick the can down the road for the next sheriff. Do you kick the can or address it? I am going to address it and tell you what is going on. It is above me, and I am going to tell you what is going on so you can make good decisions. I am going to exhaust every opportunity. You can close a bridge, but with a jail, lawsuits happen. If you overcrowd, that is one of the first things civil liberties goes after," Baugh said. 

Baugh said he will examine every opportunity to help financially for a new jail and that is it not a want but a need. 

"It's about needs, not wants. I don't want a new jail. I want 35 people, and the facility was built to handle that. The thing with jails is when we fill them up, we push out at the seams and it stresses everything. The water system we currently have is now failing and falling apart and the parts in there from 30 years ago, you cannot buy now, so it needs a complete repair," Baugh said. 

Baugh said one thing that has "stressed" the jail is the fact that 85 percent of his population are people charged with drug or alcohol related offenses. 

"Narcotics and mental health and the lack of rehabilitation for that are the issues and I become that. The jail is interesting. We have become the rehabilitation and mental health center. We recently dealt with an individual that would have been a prime candidate for direct mental health treatment more than the criminal justice system, in my opinion. The jail commander looks at me and says they are talking nine months before they can get placement and that's just crazy. Jails are not built for that. I have 35 jailers that are awesome and one of the things they deal with is that safety. I don't expect them to be psychologists, I want them focused on safety. We need more resources. There are organizations we work with, but that is what I am dealing with," Baugh said. 

Should a new facility come, Baugh admits he would like to see opportunities for addiction and mental health rehabilitation inside it. 

"If the needs are a facility that helps address the issues facing the county, then I am all for that. If the new jail doesn't look, smell and act like an old jail with heavy doors that slam, then I am fine with that," Baugh said.