Redwood, Renville counties need jail space

Survey would

help determine

future

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

ST. PAUL -- The need for more jail space in Redwood and Renville counties was made known at an informal meeting recently.

Redwood County Sheriff Rick Morris said the county spends more than $250,000 in per-day costs each year to house prisoners in out-of-county facilities like the Kandiyohi County Jail. That amount does not include the costs of transporting prisoners or juvenile detention costs.

Renville and Meeker counties currently agree to pay $55 per day for prisoner housing and transportation. The Renville County Jail currently holds prisoners for up to 72 hours. Prisoners held longer go elsewhere.

The National Institute of Corrections recently surveyed Renville County to help determine future options. Redwood County Commissioner were encouraged to do the same. Surveys are done at no cost to counties.

District 21A State Rep. Marty Seifert, (R-Marshall) is attempting to create a bill that would create a privately-owned multi-county jail in southwest Minnesota. Current laws allow counties to contract with private companies to hold county inmates.

Corrections Corps of America, which owns and operates prisons for out-of-state inmates in Appleton, expressed interest in building a second facility in Minnesota, if a privatization bill would pass the Legislature.

A proposed prison, designated for short-term state offenders, would house 600-800 state inmates. Plans called for a wing to house up to 200 prisoners being held by counties.

Tracy is one of at least five communities interested in being chosen as a site for a prison.

A capital investment committee hearing on Wednesday night included the legislation. Tracy officials attended the hearing and testified they would offer a tax-free zone to attract a privately-funded prison.

Redwood County officials also expressed interest in such a prison at the hearing, according to a spokesman in Seifert's St. Paul office.