A proposal detailing the county's controversial plan to merge Jamesville Correctional Facility with the downtown Justice Center is under review by the state commission of corrections.
The proposal aims to justify the plan, as county executive Ryan McMahon says that consolidating operations downtown would help meet the commission's own minimum standards for inmates and staff. The commission has repeatedly cited the justice center for numerous lockdowns in recent years due to an ongoing staff shortage. This runs the risk of violating inmate health and safety regulations.
McMahon asserts that there is enough space to house the combined inmate population, but is willing to send overflow to other counties if needed. The county anticipates any remaining and interested Jamesville correctional officers will have accepted and taken on their corresponding roles in the custody division downtown by Apr. 1.
The proposal states that after these officers are trained, 130 inmates will be transferred in a process expected to take about two weeks.
The sheriff is expected to provide a detailed plan by the end of the month. The commission of corrections has said it will also complete a feasibility evaluation.
