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For years now, the Winona County Jail has periodically become overcrowded. More recently, the locks — a 1970s vintage — have become obsolete, making repair or replacement tricky.
It’s not news that the jail is in need of replacing. It also not news that county boards and residents have balked at spending that much money just to “lock up the bad guys.” That’s left the Winona County Sheriff’s department trapped between two tough positions — not enough money to build something new, not enough space to lock up people who need a time-out from society.
Recently, the county announced that it was looking at a trade with our neighbors to the north, Wabasha County. We would send some inmates to Wabasha, where the space is more plentiful; and, in return, Winona County might take over some of the dispatch.
Winona County Sheriff David Brand said this is only a temporary fix to a much bigger problem. And, we believe he might be half-right and half-wrong.
It is a great fix — one of the more innovative we’ve seen. We’ve now thought and looked beyond the borders of Winona County.
We just question why the solution has to be a temporary one. Could it be a permanent fix?
After all, Wabasha County’s new jail is coming online and with it, more bed spaces — much more than the smaller Wabasha County needs. Meanwhile, Winona County already has the some of the infrastructure and staffing to help on dispatch. Is it possible that a more regionalized, permanent solution could happen?
Let’s face it, neither state nor county budgets are getting fatter. Recently, the state decided to cap how much tax counties could collect from residents while, at the same time, cutting local government aid to cities and counties.
This has created a double whammy for counties, meaning the financial situation has went from tight to awful.
Things like jails, radio dispatch centers are expensive. There is a very real cost for every county having its own infrastructure in place.
It’s time for cities and counties in Minnesota to think beyond their boundaries. Consolidation, regionalization, cooperation — call it whatever you want. It can work and, just as importantly, it can save money.
Maybe there are more obstacles to a plan like this than what has initially been reported. However, it seems like an idea that’s quite literally worth exploring on a longer-term basis.
We applaud the county for looking at such an innovative idea. Hopefully, it serves as the model for other municipalities and counties. Once again, we also see the entrepreneurial spirit that seems so alive in the private sector bleeds into almost all aspects of our community.
The editorial board also includes publisher Rusty Cunningham and online editor Jerome Christenson. To comment, call 453-3507 or send e-mail to letters@winonadailynews.com.
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