County jail adapts to influx of inmates

With an influx of more than 30 inmates at times from Warren County, Jasper County has been working to ease some of the transportation issues by adding a video system for court appearances.

The system, which utilizes a camera and microphone on both the judge and inmate, will help with initial appearances that are required by code to take place within 24 hours of arrest.

“What happened prior to this equipment is, let’s say they arrest them at midnight, within 24 hours they need to come back and get them, transport them back to court in Warren County and then the judge will decide if he is going to release them, post bond or if they have to stay here,” Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty said. “What this does now, if they get arrested at midnight, they bring them here (in the jail’s courtroom,) within the 24 hour time period, and we will use this technology for them to actually have their hearing with the judge.”

Jasper County Network Administrator Ryan Eaton, who set up the system, demonstrated its abilities, which are comparable to the similar system in place for Jasper County. The jail has had the technology in place since it moved from its former downtown location at the Jasper County Annex Building to near the Iowa Speedway at 2300 Law Center Drive.

“They will see the judge, the judge can see them. We can zoom in and out, whatever the judge wants,”Eaton said.

The system has advantages for both agencies, Halferty said. For Warren County, who paid for the $1,500 equipment, savings come through the time for employees to transport inmates both ways, the fuel used and mileage to and from Newton to Indianola. The trip is approximately 53 miles and about one hour, one way.

For Jasper County, keeping inmates in a more controlled environment helps with safety concerns, Halferty said.

“It is one less transport they have to do,” Halferty said. “When we move them from a secure facility to a vehicle that has to take them somewhere, there is always a safety issue.”

He said it is also more secure for the jail staff because they can walk the inmates from their cells through a sally port to the courtroom, where the doors are secure. Then when the proceedings are complete, they can easily return to their cells instead of having to take an hour-long drive back.

Halferty credited both IT departments for making system happen along with District 5 Chief Judge Arthur Gamble. Gamble and his office made the decision to allow the teleconferencing between counties.

“They don’t have to do that but they made the decision and it is definitely helpful to both agencies and we appreciate it,” Halferty said. “The system has worked really well for us since we have moved out here and again, we are just glad Warren County is allowed to use it, too.”

Jasper County has been holding inmates from Warren County since October 2016. After the Iowa Department of Corrections closed the Warren County Jail in January, the county took on additional inmates, essentially doubling the intake from 15 to 30.

The county has also see monetary benefits in the form of additional revenue to house the inmates. On average, the county was receiving an additional $12,000 per month

With an 84-bed capacity, the jail has been running between 60 to 70 inmates on average, Halferty said. The jail will be increasing capacity by finishing an additional pod currently used for storage. Planned as a “dorm style” pod, it will hold an additional eight to 10 inmates when completed. Bidding for construction of the project is set to begin April 3.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com