The average daily Adult-In-Custody (AIC) population in the Klamath County Detention Center is being reduced due to severe staffing shortages. It is unknown if this will be a short-term modification or if further reductions may need to take place in the future.
“I believe it is important to communicate the effects on the community, and the effects on the employees we ask to protect us by not having a fully staffed detention facility.”
-Sheriff Kaber
The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office informed community public safety partners in early June 2024 that the staffing level of Corrections deputies in the jail reached critical numbers. This has been slowly occurring over the past year and only a tremendous staff effort has delayed the current situation and the needed response. The average daily population has been around 120 AICs per day. Through a combination of rehousing, citing to court and releasing those eligible, and at times matrixing AICs, the jail has reduced the average daily population by approximately 20%. Matrixing involves using several assessment tools to determine those with the lowest probability of re-offending prior to appearing in court. It is not ideal, but it is an effective tool used throughout the state and the country. Though we have not been routinely matrixing for several years it is once again part of our current plan for sustainability.
The Klamath County Detention Center is a 150-bed facility and is comprised of 48 employee positions. These positions include medical staff, food services, maintenance, clerks and supervisors. Thirty (30) of those positions are directly involved in the hourly supervision of AICs (24/7.) Currently there are six (6) unfilled positions, for a 20% shortage of available staff. Corrections deputies have been asked to increase their average overtime by 300% and this is having a negative effect on the ability to hire, train, and retain employees. Recruitment and training efforts have never slowed down and 33 Corrections deputies have been hired in the past year alone; unfortunately, just as many have retired or sought other employment opportunities.
The average daily population will likely remain higher than when the jail was dealing with Covid-19 protocols, however, it is not ideal for the community.
Those that continue to work in the correctional environment should be applauded for their willingness to do what needs to be done for the safety of our community. I believe this cannot be overstated.
“Based upon my research, working in the Jail or Correctional Facility is the most difficult job in law enforcement from a mental aspect” and, “The first thing leaders must do is educate the public and decision makers about the upcoming problem facing law enforcement officials around the country. Those leaders that begin the discussion will be better prepared than those that simply ignore the problem.”
Gregory Costanzo – ETHOS Academy.
As the Klamath County Sheriff, I hope that the citizens of our county recognize the hard and demanding work performed by the professionals in the Corrections Division. I also hope that it is understood that these decisions are not what we want to do, but in the short-term, it is necessary in order to relieve the institutional stresses on our indispensable employees.
Respectfully,
Sheriff Chris Kaber
