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JUN 2 c 1939 F <br />BOOK 17 PAGE <br />If inmate population levels do not stabilize, there is the <br />potential that some inmates may have to be housed in St. Lucie <br />County. Information provided by Circuit Judge Charles E. Smith <br />in his correspondence dated May 22, 1989, allude to over 200 <br />beds being available in the St. Lucie County Detention <br />Facility. It is also felt that additional county probation <br />officers would benefit the County in assisting the Sheriff- in -- <br />managing the inmate population. <br />The intent of the Stockade Program is to house additional <br />inmates that should be incarcerated rather than being released <br />on the streets, often committing additional crimes to provide <br />funds for a developed chemical dependency. The Stockade <br />Program envisions counseling and rehabilitation therapy as <br />tools to assist inmates with dependency on various chemicals <br />while attempting to instill some degree of- work ethic in the <br />individual. These programs would occur at night and on <br />weekends for inmates identified with these problems. <br />With the support of Sheriff Dobeck and his staff, ample space <br />will be made available in Phase II of the County Jail for the <br />Work Release pilot program to be initiated. A review of the <br />program will occur in twelve months and a comprehensive <br />recommendation after input from all parties will be made to the <br />Board of County Commissioners at that time. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Staff recommends that the Correctional Planning Committee <br />recommend to the Board of County Commissioners the following <br />actions: <br />1. Authorize the staff to proceed immediately to request bids <br />for the construction of Phase III of the Indian River <br />County Jail; <br />2. Approve funding in the amount of $135,200 from General <br />Fund Contingencies for the Sheriff to implement a Work <br />Release Program as outlined above; and <br />3. Review the Work Program in twelve months to evaluate it <br />and the potential for construction/expansion of current or <br />additional facilities for minimum/medium custody inmates. <br />This approach is the most feasible in order to determine the <br />long range benefits anticipated and provide input as to how <br />future funds may best be utilized to maximize effectiveness. <br />The recommended funding will provide an environment wherein an <br />inmate can avail himself of extra gain time, establish a work <br />ethic, and receive counseling and therapy treatment to begin <br />the process to rid himself/herself of chemical dependency if <br />the desire to do so prevails. In any case, the Stockade/Work <br />Release Program will remove some individuals from the streets <br />and with the support of the County and Circuit Court Judges, it <br />is anticipated that program results will reflect a positive <br />impact beneficial to the community as a whole. <br />20 <br />