The Sharp County Quorum Court met Monday night with all justices present as well as Treasurer Wanda Girtman, Assessor Kathy Nix, Collector Michelle Daggett, Sheriff Shane Russell, Clerk Alisa Black and County Attorney Larry Kissee present as well.
Following the approval of minutes from the February meeting, reports were presented and accepted.
Sheriff Russell submitted a letter to the court prior to the meeting addressing multiple issues with the jail’s camera system which explained the system is out of warranty and although there was an option to purchase an extended warranty, Russell noted in his letter there were some short comings within the existing system.
“At the present, our camera system is out of warranty. SWC, the company who installed and maintains our system has informed us we have the option to extend our coverage. This option for a year is $27,255.02. Of we choose to sign the agreement at a three to five year period, we would receive a 10 percent discount..,” Russell said. “If we do not sign a new extended warranty agreement a typical service cost with out parts is an estimate of $2,500. We had a total of 13 service calls last year where a technician had to be on site to fix the issues. Based on the amount of service calls last year, $32,5000 is the amount potentially spent on service calls.”
Russell explained that over 10 service calls did not include the numerous phone calls and text messages to technicians to help navigate problems or system malfunctions.
“The current system had a major malfunction last spring where it did not record for three months. The company could not explain what happened or promise it would not happen again. This is a huge liability when we cannot prove or disprove allegations,” Russell said.
Given the issues with the existing company, gaps in service, gaps in camera coverage and other issues, Russell said he had contacted another company, Homeland Safety Systems for an estimate. The new quote to upgrade the system from the new company was $92,643.22 and upgrade the existing system would repair the shortfalls and gaps In coverage and more.
“Each following year to renew the warranty is between eight and 10 percent of the initial cost so it would be no greater than $9,400 to renew. Taking into account if we continue with our current system the way it is, purchasing a four year warranty contract will cost $98,118.08 and not address the missing cameras, lack of audio or unexplained technical glitches. For less money, we can address the short falls, upgrade rooms without coverage, add audio and more cost effective warranty.”
Correspondence between SWC, the current company and jail staff were attached showing multiple calls, lack of ability to address existing issues and lack of accountability on the part of the company who was initially hired.
Russell submitted a second letter to the court prior to the meeting addressing additional challenges faced by the jail.
“Touch-free searches provide a safer and cleaner process of intake (of inmates). With diseases, drugs and other contagions constantly present in this environment, limiting the amount of contact increases officer and deputy safety. Preventing contraband from entering the jail is extremely difficult. Strip searching an inmate and patting them down prevents a limited amount from making it into the cells, however, when items are inserted into the body, the traditional strip search does not find nor remedy contraband from being carried into the jail,” Russell said.
He presented information on the Sorter RS Body Scanner which is a leading way tor safer facilities, decreased liabilities and less contraband entering the jail. The scanner is noted to be the industries leading contraband detector.
“In this packet, there is information on the Sorter RS Body Scanner. Body scanners are leading the way for safer facilities, decreased liabilities and less contraband. If an inmate comes in with something inserted into their person, becomes ill from it puncturing something internally or bursting within their body, we are responsible for the inmate and injuries. All medical costs and liability land squarely on the county since the inmate is in our custody. Most inmates will not share if they’ve ingested or inserted something and only seek help from staff when the pain is unbearable or severe damage is done. With a body scanner our liability is diminished.”
The system automatically detects density differences making it easier for an operator to identify potential contraband. The system Russell presented to the court is listed as the only full body automatic threat recognition solution in the market.
Both companies, Homeland Safety Systems and Sorter RS made presentations on their products and services to the court.
Attorney Larry Kissee expressed concerns about possible civil rights violations and advised the court to postpone their decisions until he could research civil rights laws and learn more about getting bids for the projects. Both items were tabled until the April meeting.
The court then approved a resolution, 2024-1, a resolution to authorizing the recognition of T.J Sonny Powell for his 22 year tenure of dedicated service as the sheriff of Sharp and to verify and authenticate the presentation of a certain shotgun made to him at his retirement party Dec. 7, 2002. The resolution was approved.
Powell served the county from Jan . 1 1981 through Dec. 31, 2002.
The Sharp County Quorum Court meets the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Sharp County Courthouse in Ash Flat.
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