January 5, 2018
Doug Shull, Chairman
Warren County Supervisors
301 Buxton, Suite 301
Indianola, Iowa 50125
Re: Warren County Jail Inspection
Dear Chairman Shull,
The Warren County Jail was inspected on January 3, 2018, by the Iowa Department of Corrections, as required by Iowa Code Section 356, to ensure compliance with Chapter 201-50 of the Iowa Administrative Code. The inspection included an examination of staff training records, required documentation, prisoner files, jail policy and procedures and a tour of the jail. Please note the following Iowa Administrative Code Sections, comments and recommendations for corrective actions:
IAC 201—50.13(356,356A) Admission/classification and security.
50.13(1) Admission and classification.
a. No person shall be confined or released from confinement without appropriate process or order of court.
b. With the exception of incidental contact under staff supervision, the following classes of prisoners shall be kept separate by architectural design barring conversational and visual contact from each other:
(1) Juveniles and adults (pursuant to Iowa Code section 356.3).
(2) Females from males (exception—alternative jail facilities) (pursuant to Iowa Code section
356.4).
c. The following shall be kept separate whenever possible:
(1) Felons from misdemeanants.
(2) Pretrial prisoners from sentenced prisoners.
(3) Witnesses from prisoners charged with crimes.
d. The following shall be kept physically separated:
(1) Prisoners of whom violence is reasonably anticipated.
(2) Prisoners who are a health risk to others.
(3) Prisoners of whom sexually deviant behavior is reasonably anticipated.
(4) Prisoners likely to be exploited or victimized by others.
e. Detention of juveniles shall be pursuant to Iowa Code section 232.22.
f. All staff involved in the booking process or the supervision of prisoners shall be trained in suicide prevention. At the time of booking, an attempt shall be made (either by observation for marks or scars or direct questioning of the prisoner) to determine if the prisoner is suicidal. The following questions, or others of equal meaning, shall be incorporated into the booking process with appropriate documentation to aid in suicide prevention:
(1) Does the prisoner show signs of depression?
(2) Does the prisoner appear overly anxious, afraid, or angry?
(3) Does the prisoner appear unusually embarrassed or ashamed?
(4) Is the prisoner acting or talking in a strange manner?
(5) Does the prisoner appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
(6) Does the prisoner have any scars or marks which indicate a previous suicide attempt?
In all cases, the following questions will be asked of the prisoner:
Have you ever tried to hurt yourself?
Have you ever attempted to kill yourself?
Are you thinking about hurting yourself?
g. Housing for prisoners with disabilities shall be designed for their use, or reasonable
accommodations shall be provided for the prisoners’ safety and security.
h. Jail personnel shall ask each prisoner within 24 hours of the prisoner’s incarceration if the prisoner is a military veteran. If so, jail personnel shall advise the prisoner that the
prisoner may be entitled to a visit from a veteran service officer to determine if veteran services are required or available and, within 72 hours, shall provide the prisoner with
contact information for the county commission of veteran affairs and provide the prisoner the opportunity to contact the county commission of veteran affairs to schedule a visit from a veteran service officer.
Comment: Admission and classification at the Warren County Jail is nearly impossible due to the design of the jail.
Corrective action: Warren County should continue the practice of housing prisoners in other facilities when classification and separation is not possible in the Warren County Jail.
IAC 201—50.14(356,356A) Cleanliness and hygiene.
50.14(1) Housekeeping.
a. The jail shall be kept clean and sanitary. Toilets, wash basins, showers and other equipment throughout the facility shall be maintained in good working order. Walls, floors and ceilings shall be well maintained.
(1) Unless cleaning is done by staff, necessary cleaning equipment shall be provided to prisoners. Cleaning equipment shall be removed from the cell and dayroom areas when cleaning is completed.
Comment: Warren County Jail has been advised every year since 2014 of the need to address cleanliness, sanitation, and living conditions of the jail. Specifically mentioned was spray foam insulation, rust located on the walls, and vents. The recent inspections found efforts had been made to clean around the sink and stool units, however; areas immediately adjacent to these units are deteriorating with paint and concrete flaking away. These areas are not only unsightly, but are very difficult, if not impossible, to thoroughly clean and disinfect. Corrective actions: Warren County shall address these issues to ensure healthy and sanitary living and working conditions.
IAC 201—50.4(356,356A) Physical plant—general.
50.4(3) Heating and ventilation. All detention and living areas shall be reasonably heated and ventilated, with air flow sufficient to admit fresh air and remove disagreeable odors, to ensure healthful and comfortable living and working conditions for prisoners and staff. Fans and an adequate supply of cold liquids will be made available and utilized when indoor temperatures exceed 85° Fahrenheit.
50.4(4) Cells. Maximum security cells shall be equipped with tamper-resistant bunks, secured table(s) and seat(s), plus a toilet and washbasin recommended for jail or prison use. Cells shall have an adequate supply of both hot and cold water; mixing valves may be used. Housing areas of less secure design need not contain tamper-resistant fixtures.
Comment: This year, the south and middle cells were noticeable cooler and more drafty than the rest of the cells.
Corrective action: These are reoccurring issues that need to be addressed to provide safe, sanitary, and reasonable living and working conditions.
IAC 201—50.4(356,356A) Physical plant—general.
50.4(7) Electrical. Drop cords shall not be used as permanent wiring. Electrical service shall meet the requirements of the governmental body permitted by statute to adopt standards for electrical service. Appliances shall plug directly into a fixed receptacle. Emergency generator power shall be available. Emergency generator power shall be tested at regular intervals not less than monthly. A record of test dates shall be maintained.
Comment: A generator monthly test log was not available for review at the time of inspection. Board of Supervisor Dean Yordi and Maintenance Personnel Kirk Baker advised they had an exhaust issue in the past and have ceased testing on the generator.
Corrective action: Establish a generator log and test the generator under load on a minimum of a monthly basis.
IAC 201—50.9(356,356A) Fire safety and emergency evacuation.
50.9(2) Compliance with fire marshal rules. No jail shall be occupied by a prisoner unless the state fire marshal or qualified local fire prevention authority has issued a certificate of inspection within the last 24 calendar months documenting that the jail complies with the fire safety standards for jails included in administrative rules promulgated by the state fire marshal. Jails may be inspected by the fire marshal, or by personnel of local fire departments deemed by the fire marshal qualified to conduct inspections, on a schedule determined by the fire marshal. The state jail inspection unit of the department of corrections, a jail administrator, or the chief executive of an agency that administers a jail may request that the state fire marshal inspect a jail for compliance with fire safety standards. If the state fire marshal finds that a jail is not in substantial compliance with fire safety standards based on such an inspection, the state fire marshal may require the jail administrator to submit to the fire marshal a plan of correction of violations of these standards. The director of the Iowa department of corrections may initiate proceedings to close the jail if the jail does not comply with the plan of correction.
Comment: The State Fire Marshal inspection report expired in September 2017. Iowa Department of Correction assisted Warren County in making contact with the State Fire Marshal to schedule an inspection.
Corrective action: Warren County was able to schedule an inspection by the State Fire Marshal on January 4, 2018. Warren County were cited for fourteen violations of State Fire Administrative Code. These items are life safety issues and need immediate rectification.
50.9(6) Emergency lighting. All exits shall be equipped with independent emergency lighting sources. All corridors and passage aisles shall be illuminated by independent emergency lighting sources. Lighting shall be arranged to ensure no area will be left in darkness.
Comment: Emergency battery back up lights were found to be inoperable.
Corrective action: These units need to be repaired or replace to ensure they are properly operational.
Additional comments
Warren County Jail is an older facility that is outdated, has outgrown its original design capacity, and does not meet the current needs of the county, prisoners, or staff. During the tour of the facility, several other areas of concern were noted. They include, but are not limited to food storage in the hallway, spray foam insulation, rust located on the walls and vents, continual water pressure concerns, and climate control. These findings lead me to concur with Judge Gamble’s letter to the Warren County Board of Supervisors concerning conditions of the jail and courthouse. The mentioned findings create a concern for the health, safety, security, and the overall operations of the jail.
Major improvements include new mattresses, contracting with Advanced Health Care for medical, and new combination sink and stool in the northeast cell.
Upon completion of the above corrective actions, the Warren County Jail will be in compliance with Chapter 201-50 of the Iowa Administrative Code.
I wish to thank Sheriff Brian Vos, Jailer Administrator Eldon Emmet, Maintenance Personnel Kirk Baker, Board of Supervisor Dean Yordi and jail staff for their cooperation and assistance during the inspection.
Sincerely,
Delbert G. Longley
Chief Jail Inspector
cc: Sheriff
County Attorney
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