JAIL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES UNDER WAY

JACKSON -- Precautionary environmental studies are being done before progress can be made on the jail facility expansion in Cape Girardeau County.

An environmental service is drilling test holes to take soil samples in the area where the jail expansion is to be built. A gas station on the corner near the proposed expansion site had underground tanks that may have produced contaminants in the surrounding areas.

If any problems are found, steps will be taken to correct them, says Associate Commissioner Joe Gambill. Otherwise, the county will work with the Department of Natural Resources to make sure the site is environmentally sound.

An architect is currently putting preliminary sketches together. Although a grant has been authorized for $1.5 million from the U.S. Marshal's Service, estimates for the cost of the expansion are closer to $3.5 million. The additional revenue needed will be taken out of the general revenue surplus, spread out over a couple of years.

"We feel we can economize on the original estimate," Gambill says.

Modular-type cells might be used to shorten the construction time, according to Sheriff John Jordan. He would like to see an advisory committee composed of past commissioners and sheriffs organized to work out details of the plan.

A stipulation in the 10-year, intergovernmental agreement (IGA) entered into with the Marshal's Service was that the county would house a maximum of 42 prisoners. In exchange, the county will collect $38.34 per federal inmate per day to pay for food and housing. Medical expenses are paid for by the Marshal's Service. This amount is negotiable on a yearly basis, subject to operating costs.

"We have the potential to affect the criminal justice system in Cape County in a real positive way," says Jordan. "There is the potential of generating $1 million net profit per year."

The current jail facility has a maximum capacity of 80 inmates, but the daily average population of 96 surpasses that. Since Jordan took office two years ago, the county has been housing federal prisoners. According to Jordan, the money collected for these prisoners more than offsets the food budget for the entire month.

The environmental study is expected to be completed within a few weeks. Jordan expects the new jail facility will be up and running within 18 months.