COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A new study shows over the next 20 years, the population of Branch County is expected to rise about 18% while the number of inmates at the Branch County Jail in the next two decades is projected to increase up to 215%. The numbers were revealed at yesterday to the Branch County Board of Commissioners at their work meeting.
The study was prepared by RQAW Consulting Engineers and Architects, the firm hired by the county to guide Commissioners through the process of deciding how best to remedy an outdated undersized jail. The study examines a number of viable options which include renovation and expansion of the existing facility, a new jail on the corrections sheriff’s department property on Marshall Road and a third possibility, locating a new jail on state owned land right across the street to the east on state prison property.
Joseph Mrak, president of RQAW, told commissioners yesterday the projected increase in the number of inmates will occur mainly because of the prisoners length of stay behind bars. Their average stay in the jail was seven days in 2006. That jumped to 14 days in 2015, doubling over that period and largely due to legislative changes in sentencing guidelines.
The early preliminary cost estimates for the trio of options under consideration range from $22 million up to $28 million. The consultants will be back with more details next month when commissioners may choose what they believe to be the best jail fix and then fine tune what it would cost. Once that’s done, wording on a millage proposal would be turned into the County Clerk’s office to be placed on the ballot.
The deadline to submit the question is May 10, 2016 .
