The Money Pit: Modernizing the "Modern" Jail

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to discuss the history, challenges, and dysfunctions of a Midwestern county jail. In the background, there are jail deaths, inadequate data-gathering practices, management and infrastructure problems, and the potential taking of control by the federal government. One aspect of this research examines the facilities and infrastructure of the jail which, at the time of creation, was deemed functional. Examples of the data challenges will be provided and analyzed. The likelihood of this county building a new, more up-to-date jail will be examined. Finally, we examine the impact of culture on sustainable changes within the jail.