Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is There A Need For Jail Expansion In Ada County?

The Ada County Jail is currently operating at 90% rated capacity, with an average daily inmate population of 1,000 inmates with a rated capacity of 1,116 available beds and an operational capacity of 949. This high occupancy rate raises concerns about the jail's ability to effectively manage its population and meet future needs.

What Is The Difference Between Operational Capacity And Rated Capacity?

Operational capacity is the number of inmates that can be accommodated based on a facility's staff, existing programs, and services. Rated capacity is the number of beds or inmates assigned by a rating official to institutions within a jurisdiction. The Idaho Sheriff’s Association serves as the rating official for the Ada County Jail.

What Is The Current Inmate Capacity, And What Will It Be If The Jail Is Expanded As Proposed?

The current rated capacity is 1,116 beds. Under the proposed expansion, the facility would have an additional 294 beds, increasing the total capacity to 1,411 beds. Our goal with this proposed expansion is to ensure Ada County is prepared to handle inmates as needed into the future.

Financial Information

What Is The Total Cost Of The Jail Expansion, And How Will It Be Funded?

The total cost of the jail expansion project, including land acquisition costs, site development, design, permitting, construction, and furnishing is estimated to be $69.6 million. To date, the County has spent approximately $3.5 million on land acquisition costs, site development, and partial design of the project.  An additional $66.1 million will be needed to complete the project as estimated. The County plans to use a dedicated construction fund and available budgeted funds to pay an additional $17.1 million, and is asking voters to authorize the issuance of up to $49 million in bonds to fund the remaining cost. In summary, of the total project cost of $69.6 million, the County is proposing to pay $20.6 million from currently available funds and bond for $49 million.

How Will The Expansion Impact Local Taxes?

If the proposed bond is passed by voters, the estimated tax impact will be a tax of $3.60 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value (assessed property value less any exemptions). Below is the tax impact information (as required by Idaho Code, Section 34-913):

The principal amount of the proposed bonds to be issued is up to $49,000,000. The interest rate anticipated on the proposed bond issue, based upon current market rates, is three and eighty-seven percent (3.87%) per annum. The total amount to be repaid over the life of the bonds, based on the anticipated interest rate, is $71,665,875, consisting of $49,000,000 in principal and $22,665,875 of interest.  The term of the bonds will not exceed twenty (20) years from the date of issuance. The total existing indebtedness of the County, including interest accrued, is $0.00.

Aside from the tax impact of the proposed bond, there is no current plan to increase local taxes to fund the project.

Are There Contingencies In Place If Costs Overrun?

Yes. As is typical of projects such as this, the estimated costs include contingencies for cost overruns. If costs exceed such contingencies, the County would need to identify other sources of funding, including reallocating funds from other County needs.

Alternatives To Incarceration

What Alternative Programs Are In Place Or Considered To Reduce The Inmate Population?

The Ada County Sheriff’s Office has worked hard for the last decade to ensure that those who can be safely monitored in the community are not kept in custody.  Ada County administers a pre-trial release program and a misdemeanor probation program, as well as many alternative sentencing options so people are not in custody just serving time. In total, these programs keep on average 2,000 people out of jail every day who otherwise would be in custody, taking up bed space.

Does The Decision To Expand The Ada County Jail Indicate A Focus On Punitive Measures Or Otherwise Support or Normalize Mass Incarceration?

No. The County aims to balance the need for additional space with active measures to reduce the inmate population through diversion programs and alternative sentencing. Our commitment to putting qualifying people in our pre-trial release, misdemeanor probation, and alternative sentencing programs allows individuals who can safely reside in the community to avoid jail time. Currently, we have over 2,000 participants in these programs, a number that far exceeds our average daily jail population of approximately 1,000. The proposal to expand the jail comes after exhausting our ability to divert individuals from jail through these programs. Essentially, we’ve reached a saturation point, a milestone we’ve been anticipating and working to delay for over a decade. The proposed expansion is not a pivot towards punitive measures, but rather a step to ensure we can maintain operational capacity in a safe and efficient manner while continuing to administer these innovative alternatives to incarceration.

How Does Ada County Address Mental Health And Substance Abuse Among Inmates?

The primary role of our jail is to house individuals who pose a risk to public safety. The jail provides 24/7 medical care and includes an accredited Health Services Unit and a Mental Health Unit staffed with social workers and psychiatrists. We also collaborate with external entities to address these issues, such as Pathways of Idaho, a 24/7 intake facility aimed at connecting people with substance abuse and mental health issues to appropriate community resources.

Long-Term Implications

How Long Will The New Facility Be Sufficient Based On Growth Projections?

Based on current projections, the new facility, if approved, is expected to meet the County's needs for the next 15-20 years.

Other Issues

Is The Idaho Department Of Corrections (IDOC) Continuing To House A Large Number Of Inmates In The Ada County Jail?

Yes, the Ada County Sheriff's Office is required by Idaho law to accept inmates from IDOC. Under Idaho Code, IDOC pays the County $55 per day for each inmate for the first seven days of custody and $75 per day thereafter.

Is Ada County Taking Steps To Address Systemic Biases That Could Influence Jail Populations?

Yes, the Ada County Sheriff's Office is committed to proactively identifying and combating systemic biases that may have an impact on our jail population. In 2016, we partnered with the MacArthur Foundation Safety and Justice Challenge to explore ways to reduce our jail population and identify potential racial and ethnic disparities.

While initial findings did indicate some evidence of racial and ethnic disparities, the data was not comprehensive enough to draw significant conclusions. To gain a more accurate understanding, we've collaborated with Boise State University's Criminal Justice Department for more in-depth research. This partnership aims to provide a clearer picture of existing disparities and guide our efforts to reduce them effectively.

Through these initiatives, we strive to ensure that our public safety system is equitable and just.

Are You Effectively Managing The Jail Population Before Looking At Expansion?

We consistently work to effectively manage the jail population and all those participating in Sheriff’s Office programs. Our pre-trial release and alternative sentencing programs are models for other agencies in the Northwest and have been for over a decade.

Additionally, our investment in personnel and equipment has been proactive. For example, safety measures, such as a full-body scanner to detect drugs and other contraband during the booking process, are in place to maintain a secure environment.

The proposed expansion aims to complement these existing measures.