REGIONAL JAIL OFFERS ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES FOR COUNTIES

The concept of a regional jail to serve Alexander, Pulaski, Union and Johnson counties in Southern Illinois is a good one.

Although the idea didn't catch on when it was discussed a few years ago, regional jails since have become more popular. Local governments are finding them more efficient primarily because they eliminate duplication from county to county and the high cost and trouble of running jails.

Several companies build and manage prisons or jails and lease the beds in them to local governments. Today, more than 70,000 prisoners are being housed in such institutions in 18 states. In 1986 only 2,630 prisoners were lodged in privately operated prisons and jails.

The Southern Illinois county officials have talked with one company and plan to talk with another. One viable option under consideration calls for a 150-to-200-bed facility costing in the range of $6 million. Consideration is being given to a criminal-justice building that, in addition to a jail, would include courtrooms and offices for prosecutors, judges and public defenders.

Three of the counties do not have jails and already are paying other jails in the area to house their prisoners. With a regional jail, local counties would have no financial obligation other than committing to house prisoners in the regional jail.

The per-prisoner cost wouldn't be a lot more than three of the counties are paying to lodge prisoners in nearby jails, but the costs increase when time spent by deputies to transport and stay with prisoners for court appearances is factored in.

Federal jail standards -- particularly those applying to local jails that house federal prisoners -- have become more stringent. Small counties like those in Illinois considering the regional jail would find it difficult and expensive to meet those standards in their own jails.

Interstate 57 is easily accessible to each of the four counties. Although consideration hasn't yet been given to a site, a regional jail along or near the interstate would be a sensible spot.