JOINT JAIL IS STUDIED

Privately run prisons and/or jails are one of the nation's newest growth industries.

Corrections management corporations today operate private facilities housing more than 70,000 prisoners in 18 states. A decade ago, in 1986, only 2,620 inmates were housed in such facilities.

The idea of a privately-financed and operated regional justice center has spread to Southern Illinois.

Officials from four counties -- Alexander, Pulaski, Union and Johnson -- have met with representatives of an Arizona-based corrections group to discuss construction of such a facility.

"We're looking into the feasibility of such an operation," said Pulaski County State's Attorney Patrick Duffy.

American Corrections Management, headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., one of a number of private justice center companies in the U.S., discussed a center to serve the four Southern Illinois counties during a meeting held at Shawnee Community College recently.

A second corrections group -- Western Corrections Group -- also wants to make a proposal to a special committee to county officials in the area.

The idea to look into a privately run jail came from the chief judge's office of the First Judicial Circuit.

"We threw the idea out to county boards, county sheriff's departments and state's attorneys," said Rick Bosler, court administrator for the judicial circuit.

At least three counties in the immediate Southern Illinois area do not have jail facilities.

This is not the first time that the regional jail concept has cropped up.

"It has been discussed before," said Bosler, who is a member of the regional jail committee.

"We're hoping to arrange another meeting of county officials in early 1996 to discuss whether to proceed with a regional jail," said Duffy, who favors the proposal.

Pulaski County is one of the three counties which has to "farm out" prisoners.

"We do not have a jail facility here," Duffy said. The county, with administrative offices at Mound City, lodges prisoners in Massac County Jail at Metropolis.

Union County also has to lodge its prisoners in other facilities -- in Jackson County, at Murphysboro.

"It's my hope that other counties will be in favor of the regional concept," said Duffy. "I'm on record of favoring it, and I hope we can get it to work."

The American Corrections Management group, which also has offices in Kansas City, Mo., has opened or renovated 49 corrections facilities around the country.

The company would build and manage the facility, and lease beds to the four counties and other jurisdictions.

The most viable of the three options, said Duffy, calls for a 150-to-200-bed facility, costing in the range of $6 million. The project could cost less, depending on the facilities, such as the number of courtrooms and offices for prosecutors, judges, public defenders and other options.

"We'd like to see a courtroom, with office facilities for everyone," said Bosler. "This would avoid costly transportation costs."

Under one ACM proposal, the daily cost of housing prisoners would be $46 for males, $52 for females and $70 for juveniles.

Wes Wilkins, a former Union County State's Attorney, is chairman of the regional jail committee, which has representatives from each of the four counties.

Local counties would not have any financial obligation other than committing to house prisoners in the regional facility. The costs would be comparable to current costs of housing prisoners in other nearby jails.

"It's a great concept," said Duffy. "The proposal would cost the counties absolutely nothing in terms of up-front construction costs. Of course, there are some hurdles to cross," said Duffy. "But we have already crossed some hurdles. I think the plan merits consideration.

Jeff Farris, Alexander County State's Attorney, agrees.

"We're in a little different position than some counties," said Farris. "We do have an operating jail. It has been kept in good condition and meets all compliances, but it's 34 years old."

Keeping the facility in good condition, and manning it, is costly, said Farris.

"This makes the possibility of a regional jail a good idea from my standpoint," he said. "What it all boils down to with the county board, sheriff's department and other county officials, is cost."

It's an idea worth considering, said Farris.

The site for a regional facility has not been selected.

"Right now, a site is not the question," said Duffy. "The big question is whether we can get this thing going. Then, we'll think about location."

However, a couple of possible locations have been tossed out during early discussions.

One possible location is a 5-acre parcel, available near District 22 State Police Headquarters near Ullin, along Interstate 57.

Property is also available near the Goreville and Lick Creek Exits on Interstate 57. That would place the facility in Johnson County. Johnson County also does not have a jail facility and sends prisoners to Massac and Saline jails.

Current costs range about $30 to $35 a day for counties to jail prisoners in other facilities, but these costs increase when time spent by deputies to transport and stay with prisoners for court appearances, is factored in.