Henry County Jail revenue passes $4 million

MT. PLEASANT — According to Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee, the county’s jail has cleared a major financial milestone, bringing in more than $4 million from housing inmates from other counties — nearly halfway to paying off the bond that funded the facility’s construction.

“This is truly an amazing milestone,” McNamee told the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 2. “I just want to congratulate all my staff, current and former, on all their work to handle those inmates as they come and go. It’s a lot of work.”

McNamee expressed hopes that this milestone means the county can pay off the remaining bond sooner than anticipated.

Voters approved a $9.1 million bond in 2017 to replace the county’s outdated 1963 jail. Construction began in 2018, and the new 25,600-square-foot facility on South Grand Avenue in Mt. Pleasant opened in late 2019. The jail holds up to 108 inmates and includes modern security, communications and control systems.

The expanded capacity allows Henry County to house inmates from other counties through contractual agreements, generating revenue that helps repay the construction bond.

McNamee said the jail inspector’s annual review in September went smoothly.

“We passed with flying colors,” he said.

The inspector recommended that the county begin creating a long-term capital improvement plan to update systems such as HVAC, electrical and intercoms as the facility nears its 10-year mark. McNamee said he plans to begin that process soon.

The sheriff also reported a drop in emergency service calls countywide. Law enforcement, fire, ambulance and towing agencies handled 15,889 calls through September — down almost 2,000 from the same period last year.

During his report to the supervisors, McNamee also stated staffing remains strong, with only one jail position open and interviews underway to fill it.

McNamee praised Deputy Logan Bass for arresting a man who walked away from an Iowa Department of Corrections facility last month with the help of tips reported to the department via phone calls and the newly launched app.

“He found him, apprehended him, got him back into custody,” McNamee said.

He also highlighted the department’s community involvement. Deputies plan to hand out stickers and candy during trick-or-treating events across the county later this month and will host a National Drug Take Back collection Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sheriff’s office accepts unused prescription drugs year-round, excluding needles.

As the department celebrates the financial milestone, McNamee said his focus remains on keeping the jail efficient and up to date.

“Now we’ll start working on the second half of that bond,” he said. “Maybe we can do that a little quicker.”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com