COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Backers of a millage that if approved will lead to the construction of a new 184 bed Branch County Jail presented a video to the Branch County Board of Commissioners Thursday that showed in somewhat graphic detail the conditions that inmates and corrections officers have to put up with in the current facility.
The video featured Sheriff John Pollack who said the current jail is crumbling
Judge David Coyle said the Branch County Jail is a disgrace and “it is in such disrepair that I don’t know if there’s a worse jail in the state of Michigan.”
Corrections Sergeant Robin Maggart pointed out the leaks and broken locks in the former nursing home facility. She said at one point that 14 female inmates in one cell have to share one toilet which she called disgusting.
The video was produced by the Kalamazoo video company Kzoom. It was scheduled to be posted on the web site www.branchcountyjailyes.weebly.com sometime Thursday. The group “Yes for Branch County Jail” will also be post it on their Facebook page.
Branch County voters will be asked August 7, 2018 to approve a 20 year millage at an assessment of no more than 1.25 mills per year. There would be refinancing option after the seventh year. Previous millage attempts for a new jail were voted down in 2016 and 2006.
