PUEBLO COUNTY JAIL TASK FORCE PUSHES FOR A NEW JAIL

There was a good turnout on July 14, 2017, at La Tronica's restaurant in Pueblo, where supporters of the Pueblo Jail Task Force gathered to discuss building a new jail, and

rectifying the poor conditions of the current county jail in Pueblo.

Chieftan photo/Chris McClean. Pueblo County Jail Building.

The Jail Task Force consists of 35 plus members from city and county entities, local hospitals, business owners, and numerous officials in law enforcement. There are six working subcommittees that include law enforcement, building committees, finance committees, political committees, legal committees, recidivism, and research/process committees.

Pueblo County Commissioner Garrison Ortiz was accompanied by his wife,

Gabriela Gaucin, at La Tronicas Restaurant on July 14.

Commissioner Garrison Ortiz

The meeting was lead by Commissioner Ortiz. He began the meeting by stating, "As the head of the Pueblo County Jail Task Force, my purpose is to address public safety here in Pueblo." He also elaborated on how the opioid problem in Pueblo is escalating at a rapid speed and there are a limited number of rehabilitation facilities in Pueblo for addicts to seek help. Ortiz also discussed building a new jail in Pueblo, and the current jail undergo extensive repairs that will cost approximately $40-50 million, and become a rehab facility as an alternative to incarceration for drug offenders.

Map showing sections of Pueblo County

Ortiz displayed a map, sectioning off Pueblo County, from Pueblo West to the Mesa. Votes were counted for each section of the county which showed a significant number of voters who were against building a new jail. Ortiz hopes by getting his message out to the public about the poor conditions of the Pueblo County Jail, and how much a newer and bigger jail is needed, that come November, voters will approve the new jail project.

In 2015, there was a half-a-cent increase of taxes in Pueblo to be put towards city improvements. The Pueblo County Jail Task Force believes that a new jail will be a significant improvement in Pueblo. The cost of the project is estimated at 140 million dollars.

Jeff Teschner, Bureau Chief of Detention, Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.

Jeff Teschner, Bureau Chief of Detention, Pueblo County Sheriffs office, with 27 years of service, was present at the July 14 meeting. Teschner stated, "There can be alternatives to incarceration, and drug related offenders could have the option of going to a rehab instead of spending time in jail. 74 percent of arrests are for possession AND theft charges, and 70 percent are repeat offenders." Teschner is a supporter of building a new jail and refurbishing the old jail to become a rehabilitation facility.

Under Sheriff, J.R. Hall

Also present was Under Sheriff J.R. Hall, who has been serving Pueblo since 1986. "Jail is the cornerstone of the Criminal Justice system, and our jails are over crowded. Even if we get more police officers, that would result in more arrests, where do the criminals go?" Hall added that Pueblo is definitely in need of a newer and bigger jail, and said, "When the Criminal Justice system is broken, the whole system is broken."

Chief Charlene Graham, Law Enforcement Bureau

Chief Charlene Graham, Law Enforcement Bureau, also attended the meeting of the Jail Task Force committee. She has served 33 years with the Pueblo Police Department, and eight years with the Sheriffs office. Graham expressed, "A new jail is needed in the community, and will be cost-effective, safety-wise."

Lucrecia Robinson, Department of Corrections, Youth Facility.

Lucrecia Robinson, another supporter at the Jail Task Force meeting, has six years with the Department of Corrections, and works with pre-release youths in corrections. "I am involved with many youths who are addicted to opioits, and there is a great urgency-we need to educate ourselves or we are going to lose our children to this horrible drug, and lose our purpose. It's all about being involved in what we love most-our families' well being and health." Robinson expressed that she is passionate about the work she does for the Department of Corrections' Youth Offender system, and added,"As long as our eyes are closed, we will continue to have an issue with our children and drugs."

There were 23 people who attended the Jail Task Force meeting. Betty Nufer, probono in mental healthcare, Timothy Zercher, social media and management marketing, Chief Mark Mears, with 22 years with the Sheriffs office and 14 years in jails, and Aaron Gutierrez, an attorney in Pueblo, were some of the supporters at the July 14 meeting.

The Pueblo County Jail Task Force is committed to 'studying the detox, mental health, and

drug treatment aspects of the justice system to help reverse negative trends in our community,' was stated in the Jail Task Force informational brochure. In 2017, there was approximately $1.8 million in budget overages. The Pueblo County Jail was built 30 years

ago and was designed to hold 509 inmates. The present population averages about 800

inmates on weekends, and approximately 750 on weekdays.

Chieftan file photo/John Jaques

Picture of an overcrowded cell. A "boat" is seen on the floor that an inmate sleeps in.

According to the Pueblo Chieftan, 70 percent of the inmates booked into Pueblo County Jail are detoxing from drugs or alcohol. The numbers speak for themselves. The overcrowded population in the County Jail has lead to poor health conditions, and there are areas in the facility that are in great need of major repairs. Structural cracks, decayed cracked pipes, and crumbling walls of the interior, are just a few examples of the repairs that need immediate attention.

Pictures of needed repairs of Pueblo County Jail, from the Jail Task Force Informational Brochure.

County Commissioner, Garrison Ortiz

Garrison Ortiz closed the meeting by saying, "Building a new jail will fulfill a too long overdue need in our community." Ortiz also expressed, "A rehabilitation facility could help reduce the number of drug addicts and drug offenders in the City of Pueblo, and possibly reduce the number of drug overdoses in our community."

If there are any questions or comments regarding the Jail Task Force, Commissioner Ortiz can

be reached at 719-583-6564, (office number), or ortizga@pueblocounty.us.