Jail insurance, space issues heard

Talk about it

The Pierce County Jail Ad Hoc Committee started its round of interviews Thursday with those who deal directly with the jail on a first-hand basis.

District Attorney Sean Froelich, Circuit Court Judge Joseph Boles and John Dirkse from Aegis/Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance Company, and Corporation Counsel Brad Lawrence (in closed session) answered questions from the three-man committee over a three-hour session.

Froelich told the committee his biggest concern is structural issues, as inmates are transferred from the jail to court for hearings in the hallway between the DA’s offices. A nearby conference room which is used for victim interviews could be intimidating for them if an inmate walks by, he added.

Committee Chair Rod Rommel, using the Pierce County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Needs Assessment report as a guideline, asked Froelich about the relationship law enforcement has with the district attorney’s office. Froelich said if law enforcement has an issue with his office, he wants to hear it from them.

For more please read the Feb. 27 print version of the Herald.

Tags: news, crime, courts, wisconsin