DuPage doesn't need new jail, study says

A long-awaited study recommends a modest increase of double-bunking, a return of alternative sentencing programs, better pre-trial screening to determine if suspects need to be incarcerated until their court date and a 20-person bump in jail personnel.

"I don't know that there's any big surprises in the study," said county board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom. "The bottom line is we don't have to build a new jail."

The $112,000 report was commissioned nearly a year ago to determine if the population growth the jail was experiencing was going to require a major capital investment that could have been in the $90 million to $100 million ballpark, county officials said.

Consultants from Spring-field-based MGT of America determined better space management at the jail could increase the amount of beds without compromising safety. The report suggests 36 new beds could be added by double-bunking some cells.

The jail has a low number of double-bunked cells compared to Cook County and the other collar counties. Only 17 percent of DuPage cells have two beds currently, while the average for Cook, Will, Kane, McHenry and Lake jails is 71 percent.

Sheriff John Zaruba said the low number of double-bunked cells was recommended by State's Attorney Joseph Birkett's office.

"They are our legal counsel, and I worry about liability," Zaruba said.

The sheriff supports the conclusions of MGT's report, but stating the company's solutions would work, "if, and only if, all of MGT's recommendations are implemented."

Karl Becker, a partner with MGT, told the county board's judicial and public safety committee Tuesday that the company sees no need for capital improvements at the jail during the next decade if their suggestions are implemented.

"This is basically a good news report," he said. "Within 10 years there's no need for a new jail or expansion. You're lucky."

The report predicts the jail's average daily population will likely hover between 800 and 900 inmates for the next decade because of the county's low crime rate and demographic make-up.

Modifications to the jail could allow the sheriff to house nearly 1,100 inmates with minimal cost, though MGT does recommend hiring 20 new jailers.

The report also suggests the county reinstate the Sheriff's Work Alternative Program (SWAP), which provides an opportunity for individuals convicted of lesser crimes to work off their debt to society rather than spend days behind bars. The program was cut early last year. This would reduce the jail population by as much as 50 inmates, Becker said.

The committee did not set any timetables for implementation of the consultant's recommendations.