Sheriffs from Kane and Kendall counties announce plans for a new partnership to house Kendall County inmates
KANE COUNTY—In a recent press release, Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain and Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird announced that with the implementation of the cashless bail system provided in the SAFE-T Act legislation to take effect on Jan. 1, sheriffs from across the state have had to review the impacts this new bail system will have on their inmate counts.
Baird stated that he began to look at alternatives to remain fiscally responsible, while still fulfilling his duties as they relate to “the care and custody of inmates” remanded to his custody.
According to the two sheriffs, the new bail system is forecasted to drastically reduce the inmate count in Kendall County to the point that outsourcing inmates to another county jail in the region became the practical alternative to continuing to operate a county jail in Kendall County.
Baird and Hain have worked closely over the years to turn discussions about outsourcing inmates to another county jail into a reality.
It was then decided that the Kane County Jail located in St. Charles, could provide housing for Kendall County detainees.
Hain added that the Kane County Jail would still need to operate based on its incarcerated population, but after taking into account the anticipated reduction in inmates due to the new bond system, Kane County would have ample space to accept inmates from Kendall County.
Additionally, Kendall County agreed to pay Kane County to house their inmates, which will save Kendall County residents millions of dollars, according to Baird.
“The analysis shows that this concept will also provide unforecasted revenue to Kane County, all the while ensuring that the needs of the arrestees remanded to the custody of the Sheriffs are met,” said Hain in the press release.
Baird acknowledged Hain’s honorable efforts in creating a myriad of detainee service programs that have reduced the opioid overdose deaths of the formerly incarcerated by 89%.
The programs Hain has created have also dropped recidivism from a six-year average of 49% to just 18%, as well as have helped to reduce countywide crime by 16%. These programs have saved Kane County taxpayers an estimated $4.9 million.
Baird is excited that Kendall County inmates will now also have access to all of the programs Hain has put in place for Kane County inmates.
“Combining our jail operations and working together to serve our citizens is an example of partnership and collaboration. By working together, we save taxpayer money and the inmates from Kendall County will have access to the same detainee services as Kane County inmates,” stated Baird. “It has been an honor and privilege to work with Sheriff Hain over the past three and a half years and I look forward to working more closely to keep our counties safe.”
On July 27, Hain and Baird invited members of the press and the community to attend an in-person conference at the Kane County Sheriff’s Office in St. Charles, to obtain further information about the concept.
The two sheriffs plan on having further discussions with their respective county boards to explore all the options that are available to them to come to a solution that works the best for the citizens of both counties.
“We have been working behind the scenes on a concept like this to combine correctional centers in an effort to serve those with severe addiction issues and save our taxpayers millions by regionalizing services,” said Hain. “Also, our lateral hire opportunities will help to ensure Kendall County Officers are not left without employment. We are extremely proud to bring this to fruition.”
At the time of this reporting, no final decision had been made regarding the new partnership.
