By Evelyn Pyburn

Last week, Yellowstone County officials announced the measures that county voters will be asked to approve on the November ballot to build an addition to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility (YCDF), to alleviate overcrowding. The “ask” isn’t as much as earlier estimates suggested because the State has announced that they are going to expand the State facility in Deer Lodge, which will alleviate much of the pressure on YCDF, said County Attorney Scott Twito, in making the announcement before the County Commissioners.

The County will be asking voters to approve a bond for a $175 million over 20 years to add 320 new beds. Also on the ballot will be a request to impose an annual levy for $20 million to meet operational needs – food, medical, maintenance, utilities, etc.

By law, said Twito, both measures have to be on the ballot. If one fails so does the other.

Past projections often mentioned that the likely cost to expand the jail by 512 new beds would be $225 million.

Much of the reason for the overcrowding at YCDF is because the county must hold state prisoners because there is no room at the state facility. On average the county jail could be holding as many as a hundred state prisoners a day waiting to be transferred to the state prison. In total the jail population has routinely hit over 600 and sometimes higher than 650 daily, in a facility designed to house 434.

The really good news, said Twito, is “the state’s timeline fits with ours.”

The estimated cost for property taxpayers in paying for the $175 million bond is $23 a year on a $100,000 house, $70 a year on a $300,000 house and $156 a year on a $600,000.

The estimated cost of taxes for the $20 million in annual operational costs will be $36 a year on a $100,000 house, $108 a year on a $300 house and $256 a year on a $600,000 house.

County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on March 31, 9 am, to approve the terms of the two ballot issues. Given the approval by commissioners, the measures will be on the General Election ballot on November 3.

Twito explained “how we got here.” He said, “It was no snap decision.” He has headed a group — Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) – comprised of representatives of every aspect of law enforcement, as well as some residents of the community, for the past three years exploring the problems, possible solutions and costs.

Some of their successes include a new short term holding facility for inmates that enables law enforcement to hold misdemeanor perpetrators accountable, and the development of an arraignment court that speeds the judicial process. Both have increased processing times which have helped to relieve pressure on the jail.

County Commissioner Mark Morse explained that the crowded conditions make even the maintenance of the existing facility difficult. He said, “there is lots of wear and tear” and to fix those things “we need space to move people, . . for the safety of the officers and the public.”

County Commissioner Mike Waters noted that because of the crowded conditions judges have to make difficult decisions about who can be released with the least risk to the public.

Twito added to his point saying that as the County Attorney he, too, has to make those kinds of decisions “every day . . . I have had a lot of sleepless nights deciding who is out and who is in.”

Waters emphasized, “Everyone in jail needs to be there.”

City Councilman Scott Aspenlieder said that he “fully respects” the decision the committee has made. “The jail had to be built for a long, long time. I can tell you there is a cost to doing nothing.” He went on to praise the success of the short term facility, because “it has given officers the tool of arrest.” He urged speeding up the process because there is still work to do . . . “we have put it off for far too long.”

David Irons, representing a citizens group also voiced support at the meeting, joined by Dan Brooks with the Chamber of Commerce, interjecting “Me too!” Brooks noted that the Chamber has been hosting tours of the jail in order to give citizens a better insight.

Brandon Berger, director of Big Sky Economic Development emphasized the importance to the local economy of having an adequate jail because public safety is a “most important factor” for companies in deciding to come to Billings. Expanding the jail, he said, “is just one of the steps to improve public safety,” and BSED “is in full support.”

City Councilman Mike Boyett, a past deputy sheriff, said, “I encourage you to do this.”

The proposed 320 additional beds are projected to hold more offenders locally, preventing early releases due to overcrowding, “that can put dangerous individuals back into the county prematurely.

A list of the anticipated impacts of the jail expansion states that more beds will allow for immediate arrest for violent crimes and domestic violence. It will allow better response by law enforcement which will increase public safety by making people accountable for felony property crimes, repeat felony offenders, DUI offenders, and outstanding warrants.

The expansion will create a shell that will be able to accommodate future needs – up to 512 future beds. In addition, other spaces will be able to accomodate future support services for up to a 1,552 bed jail.

The condition of the current jail will be brought up to code for mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

There will be space for jail– based programs, as well as adequate space for attorneys, law enforcement and community based providers to meet with detainees, as well as better working conditions for detention staff.

Having adequate and safe spaces for prisoners also removes liability issues that could lead to costly lawsuits.