Polk County Jail Gets Much Needed Rehab

(MENA)  Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer is a thankful man.

Why you ask? Well, this is because he has accomplished some goals and promises that he is keeping when he was first elected Sheriff.

Sawyer was facing the fact that the state would possibly shutdown the Polk County Jail.

Instead, Sawyer put together a plan that would eliminate three cells, going from 27 to 24 jail cells for prisoners and gain some needed space for his overworked staff to take care of much needed operational duties.

In the end, Sawyer was able to construct a new kitchen preparation area, an outdoor recreational area and an expanded booking or processing center.

The kitchen prep area, recreation area and new cell doors were some areas that were of high concern to the state, to stay in compliance.

The dispatch center was also improved as well. The Sheriff’s office handles the incoming of calls from not only the county residents, but also handles dispatching calls for the City of Mena Police Department.

Sawyer is not finished yet with the jail. Within the next 18 to 20 months, construction is expected to begin on another section being added to the facility.

That addition, expected to cost nearly $1 million dollars, will add another potential 32 prisoners to the complex, that will bring the total number of prisoners that can be housed to 56.

Sawyer credits the insights and direction that Polk County Judge Brandon Ellison has provided with the work that has been completed and with the future expansion planned.                                                                      

According to Sawyer, “Polk County is very fortunate to have someone like Judge Ellison looking after their money”. Sawyer said that “even I don’t like to pay more taxes, but, Judge Ellison has made sure that the money was in place before starting this project” and that no additional burdens are put upon the taxpayers of Polk County.

Approximately $400,000 was spent on the renovations and improvements that will be wrapped up this week.

Attempts of tax increases placed on the ballot in recent years were soundly defeated, in the hopes of building a new jail that would have put the jail under state compliance. The county had been in the crosshairs of the state for a number of years.

When construction gets underway for the new addition along the 500 block of Hickory Street, the expansion will give deputies the ability of controlling and segregating the population better. Two – 16 prisoner cell pods, with a workstation situated between the two pods, will give a better handle of situations if they arise.

It will also allow the deputies to have a devoted female population area, away from the male population. Also, with the Sheriff anticipating having an area separate for Mental Health needs prisoners, and low – risk inmates, high – risk inmates and for prison trustees.

Sawyer expects that with the increased number of prison cells, that the county will be able to house state prison inmates, of which compensation will be provided back to the county.

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