This column is in response to the article written by David Showers which appeared in The Sentinel-Record on April 29, 2015, pertaining to the meeting of the Garland County Quorum Court's Public Health, Welfare and Safety Committee on April 27. The information presented at this meeting covered the first 100 days of my administration at the Garland County Sheriff's Department. I would like provide additional information on questions stemming from the article.
The article focuses on the role of women in the detention center. Here are facts which may clarify and expand upon the information presented in the article:
1. Pursuant to Arkansas Jail Standards, female deputies can only work with female inmates and at least one female deputy must be on duty at all times when females are housed or booked by the facility. Female deputies are prohibited from working in the male housing units and male deputies are prohibited from working in the female housing units.
2. At the current jail, there is one female housing unit -- thus two female posts, one for the housing unit and one for booking. Three female deputies are assigned to each of four shift squads to ensure adequate coverage.
3. In the new detention center, there will be two female housing units -- thus three female posts, one each for the housing units and one for booking.
4. The current jail's average daily population reflects that roughly 15 percent of all inmates are female and 85 percent are male.
5. In the past three years, 16.7 percent of all applications submitted for detention center deputy positions were from females.
6. Of the detention center deputies, 19.6 percent are female.
7. Of the supervisor/management positions within the adult detention center, 29 percent are held by females.
8. Men and women who work for the GCSD are compensated, trained and equipped equally. They are only differentiated by the gender specific posts as required by the Arkansas Jail Standards. We continue to encourage women and minority group members to apply for positions within the GCSD.
There was a question regarding the position of Lt. Belinda Cosgrove. Lt. Cosgrove is the programs director. With the size and scope of the new detention center, an additional captain's position was needed and approved. Capt. Carl Lacey occupies this position and Lt. Cosgrove's position reports to him. She was not demoted -- her duties, responsibilities, compensation, level of accountability and value to the organization remain the same. Since the pay rates and benefits of county employees are public information, I can address the issue of Lt. Cosgrove and Capt. Branstetter's salaries, which came up at the quorum court meeting. Lt. Cosgrove's base salary is higher than that of Capt. Branstetter, who is the security director. In addition, she has a take-home vehicle and fuel card, which Capt. Branstetter does not.
All of us at the GCSD are excited about the opening of the new detention center. There continues to be a very strong emphasis placed on the importance of programs that will be provided and we are looking forward to the positive impact these programs will have on our community. It is our great hope that the crime rate in Garland County will be reduced, rate of recidivism will be reduced and that those who come through our detention center will leave as better, more productive individuals.
Editorial on 05/02/2015