County talks jail; Bourbon commissioners hear presentation from architectural firm; will consider having feasibility study done

Bourbon County Commissioners are considering having a feasibility study done regarding the construction of a new jail.

Thomas "Artie" Lucas, of Goldberg, Sullivan, McCrerey Architects and Planners Inc., addressed the panel Monday morning to discuss the possibility of completing a feasibility study to investigate the best ways to solve the county's overcrowding problem. GS&M in St. Joseph, Mo., has designed more than 100 jail facilities across the United States, including facilities in Cherokee County and Vernon County, Mo.

Lucas, a former Doniphan County commissioner, began working with the architectural firm after they designed a jail in his county in 2008. He said he was visiting with officials in Linn and Miami counties when he learned of the condition of the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center here.

Cherokee County Commissioner and former Sheriff Pat Collins also attended the meeting in support of the firm. GS&M designed the 106-bed jail in Cherokee County, which opened in 2005. He spoke of the need for a new facility and how many of the surrounding areas are in the same situation with regard to overcrowding.

"This problem will not go away," he said. "This is a good time to look at this issue ... You're not alone when you attack theses problems."

Bourbon County Sheriff Ron Gray said the SEKRCC was built more than 30 years ago to accommodate 25 inmates. He said the facility has held as many as 70 inmates at one time.

Bourbon County Undersheriff Bill Martin said that over the last four years, Bourbon County has spent nearly $300,000 -- in housing alone -- to send inmates to other counties, in addition to $6,400 each month to house juvenile offenders in the Southeast Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Girard. A majority of the inmates that leave Bourbon County are sent to Cherokee County and contribute to the $650,000 generated annually though housing inmates from other areas, Collins said.

As part of the feasibility study, Lucas said GS&M will also investigate different financing opportunities. He added that building a facility to house the jail, sheriff's office and other emergency operations would cost about $65,000 per bed. He added that GS&M will look at "creative financing" opportunities to pay for construction without increasing taxes.

Lucas said the feasibility study being done for Miami County cost about $3,500. The commissioners requested Lucas send a copy of a contract for review. The panel will discuss the contract and make a decision at a later date.