The Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail will track its transport vehicles with a new computer system, and no transports will be made with a female detainee alone with a male officer in the future.
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The precautions come on the heels of the arrest of a detention officer who worked at the regional jail located in Pattonsburg. Michael Byrd of Bethany was charged Feb. 28 with sexual conduct with a prisoner or offender by a probation/parole officer/employee of jail, prison, correctional facility, an E felony. According to the probable cause report, the sexual contact occurred while Byrd was transporting a female to the Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail. Byrd’s arraignment is scheduled for April 18 at the Daviess County courthouse.
The subject of officers and cross-gender transports (male officer/female detainee) was discussed during the meeting of the Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail Board held on March 30.
A suggestion was made that when transporting inmates, an officer of the same gender must be present. This would require two officers on some transports and might cause delays or multiple trips if a second officer is not available. Nevertheless, the motion for same-gender transports carried with all board members voting in favor.
Director Howard advised that the jail has been looking for a tracking system for the transportation vehicles for the past two months. A bid was accepted from Sprocket for $4,475 to install the software in the vehicles. This Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) tracking system would provide real time tracking of all transport vehicles, and would be connected with Daviess County.
DDCRJ has received a license for radio frequency so that radio communications can be shared with the sheriff’s offices. One van will be equipped with a radio allowing communication with the sheriffs’ offices.
In other business at the March 12 meeting, Director Ed Howard reported that three of the four new vans have arrived. Approximately $3,000 was saved on the inserts through discounts from Bob Barker.
Ballistic vests have been ordered, but not received. The board voted to purchase rifle plates for the vests. Each plate costs about $150 per set.
New hire classes will begin in May, and recertification training for tenured staff will begin next week. According to Jail Standards for Missouri, the custody staff should have 80 hours of training annually,
Bids for locks for exterior doors are still being looked at, but bids so far have been very expensive.
Deputy Director Tim Carder gave the financial report, which was accepted by the board. Sales tax revenue for February 2018, $92,216.07; Commissary grossed $8,745.25 for March 2018; Accrued interest in CD 247 $2,025.74; CD Account 247 balance $243,744.92; CD account 977 balance $101,697.13; Sales Tax Account balance is $291,372.11; Operating Account balance is $35,848.12; A/R $305,952.04; A/P $27,663.90; Payroll Account balance is $10,661.62.
Closed session was held to consider the hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees.
The next board meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, April 20.
The above are the unapproved minutes of the March 30 meeting of the Regional Jail. Present were Daviess County Presiding Commissioner Randy Sims; Daviess County Sheriff Ben Becerra; DeKalb County Sheriff Andy Clark; DeKalb County Presiding Commissioner Harold Allison; Ed Howard, Director; Timothy Carder, Deputy Director; Lori Burke, Administrative Assistant.