Friday, January 01, 1999
Kenton jailer wants $583,000 upgrade
BY ANDREA TORTORA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — Better pay, job protection and improvements to a retirement plan are three ways new Kenton County Jailer Terry Carl says he can improve the trou bled jail.
Mr. Carl also wants to hire 15 deputies, double deputies' salaries and retain his own attorney for the 262-bed jail, at a cost of $583,000.
The ideas are part of a proposal Mr. Carl will present to the new Kenton Fiscal Court on Tuesday.
“These recommendations center primarily on empowering me with my own professional staff as well as restructuring the detention center,” Mr. Carl wrote. These “are changes that must occur in order to restore and raise the detention center from the substandard condition that now exists.”
Mr. Carl is inheriting a jail short 14 employees and short on reputation.
The jail's operation came under scrutiny in October, when county officials said the facility was poorly managed and that then-Jailer Don Younger should hire help. He refused.
Then, the family of James Franklin, a 68-year-old diabetic who died in the jail June 26, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit alleging the jail violated his constitutional rights. Mr. Franklin was found dead, naked and lying in his own waste.
Kenton County Judge-executive Dick Murgatroyd said he is supportive of Mr. Carl's plans.
“We have to put what we have in order and get it to a level where we know we are in compliance with all requirements,” Mr. Murgatroyd said. “All of it comes back to what we have to spend and what we're able to do with that money.”
At the same time, the county is discussing building a new jail that could cost $38 million. The new facility would ease crowding.
Until then, Mr. Carl said he wants to run a tight ship, with all 75 full-time jail employees trained and working at full capacity.
His plan includes these specifics:
• Creation of a merit board system, to determine raises, mete out disciplinary action and conduct disciplinary hearings.
• Provide shift differential pay of 50 cents for each hour worked on second and third shifts.
• Offer education and training pay up to an additional $2,000.
• Upgrading the retirement system from non-hazardous to hazardous, to recognize the work jail employees perform.
• Allow employees to take birthdays off, with pay.
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