Lincoln/Sagadahoc Jail Authority did not get good news from the Board of Corrections (BOC) Chairman Mark Westrum at its annual meeting January 16.  Westrum also is the Corrections Administrator at the Two Bridges Regional Jail.

He told the authority members the BOC should not anticipate getting any new money from the state. This includes $1.9 million for the rest of this year, and possibility the additional $9 million increase for the next two years will not be forthcoming. He said based on conversations with legislative leaders, there is no money to get because of the deficient in the state budget.  

What this means for the Two Bridges Regional Jail this year is it may not get its quarterly payment from the BOC, which would mean the facility would have to use their surplus from last year, according to the Authority's Finance Committee Chairman Peter Lepari.

Westrum will be appearing in front of the Criminal Justice and Appropriations Committee January 28 to plead a case for the county jails. Because the unified system, created by jail consolidation, has been unable to show significant savings, there will be little sympathy.

Westrum said the board BOC will be making some very unpopular decisions and will have to exert its authority. Those decisions could mean mission changes for jails that are not running efficiently. “We will be taking a close look at all the county jails in the state,” Westrum said.

The next BOC meeting is scheduled for January 29, in Augusta, at 1 p.m.

Jail Administrator’s report

Westrum reported that the four vacant positions at the jail will be filled by the four officers who will graduate soon.

The jail population report indicated that Sagadahoc inmate count was higher than Lincoln County this month; however, they remain very close.  There are several inmates from Aroostook and Penobscot counties and the Waldo County inmate count is down. The number of inmates at Two Bridges is currently around 177, according to Westrum.

Authority officers reelected

The officers serving on the Jail Authority agreed to serve another year, and were unanimously re-elected. They include: Chairman Bud Lewis; Vice Chair Mark Waltz; Treasurer Peter Lepari; and Clerk Katharine Martin-Savage.

New Authority member welcomed

Chairman Bud Lewis welcomed new Authority members to the board of directors, Mary Trescot, newly elected Lincoln County Commissioner. Lincoln County Commissioner Hamilton Meserve, newly elected was also introduced.

Special recognition

Westrum recognized Katharine Martin-Savage for nominating the volunteers at Two Bridges for the Maine Spirit of America award, which they received. He also thanked her for having the certificates framed and they are now hung at Central Control in the facility.

Sheriff Todd Brackett told the Authority that the Maine Sheriff’s Association recognized Two Bridges Industries Supervisor Officer Naomi Bonang as Manager of the Year at its annual convention.

Next meeting

The next meeting of the Jail Authority will be held Wednesday, March 13, at 4 p.m.

Charlotte Boynton can be reached at 207-844-4532 or cboynton@wiscassetnewspaper.com.