Beltrami County seeking citizen involvement in Jail study

BEMIDJI, MN: Beltrami County is working toward addressing the needs for an updated County Jail. The county goal is to have a right sized jail that is designed to keep staff and inmates safe and secure, with programming designed to reduce recidivism. Goals of maximizing the efficiency of jail staff, reducing the long term operational expenditure, and improving programming for inmates can be achieved through proper design and programming. The County is seeking citizens interested in serving on the Jail Steering Committee. Expectations for Steering Committee members will be to attend a 3 day training at the end of April, attend monthly meetings, and to be fully engaged in the process of research, discovery and problem solving.

Citizens may send letters of interest to the County Administrator by March 31. Letters should include information about what the “applicant” can bring to the conversations. Examples of experience: financing, building trades, building projects, cultural diversity – particularly Native American, corrections, citizen engagement, work with inmate populations (this is not an inclusive list).

Citizens that are not appointed to the Steering Committee will be considered for appointment to other Jail Study Committees.

Letters may be sent via e-mail to kay.mack@co.beltrami.mn.us or by regular mail to 701 Minnesota Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601.