Thursday, November 19th, 2009

A county consultant says it needs more time and money to help solve the overcrowding problem at the Sedgwick County Jail.

Justice Concepts met with commissioners Thursday morning to discuss the deal. But commissioners are hesitant to move forward.

"Are they same goals and strategies as in the first contract," asked Commissioner Dave Unruh.

Unruh questioned why they should give Justice Concepts an 18 month contract extension for $228,000.

Under the first contract Justice Concepts worked to reduce the jail population by 25%. But the number of inmates has actually gone up in that time. Now the consultant, Dr. Nancy Insco, tells commissioners the time frame wasn't really realistic and she knew it from the start.

"At the time of the original contract it was written for a 10-month period. Maybe I never should have signed it, but I expressed my concern that maybe the scope of work wasn't all achievable in a 10-month time frame," said Insco.

Insco says now they need to keep working to get to the ultimate goal. But many commissioners want to wait until they see the results of the first contract.

"And measure that work product before we agree on the extension," said Unruh.

"I think the information that has come forward and the communication this has opened is 100 times more valuable than what we're paying for this service," said Commissioner Gwen Welshimer.

Welshimer was frustrated by the discussion because she says this isn't the consultant's fault at all, "One of the problems we have for the consultants not getting the work done is the leadership of the county commission."

Commissioner say they need more time to talk about the possible extension. They are set to have another discussion in December.