County enters agreement for inmate housing

The Adams County Sheriff’s Department may have the option of housing inmates in the Sunnyside Police Department’s prison pending an agreement between the county and the City of Sunnyside.

Sheriff John Hunt and Adams County Prosecutor Randy Flyckt presented the commissioners with a contract from the City of Sunnyside concerning the housing of inmates.

Flyckt reported only two minor changes after his examination of the original contract received.

He recommended the commissioners approve the chairman’s signature on the revised contract so it could be returned to the city for their approval.

Flyckt said if they do not approve the changes negotiations can be held but did not anticipate it being an issue.

Sheriff Hunt also reported the City of Othello had entered into a similar agreement with Sunnyside as well.

The ability to transport and house inmates at the Sunnyside prison will help alleviate some of the crowding issues currently experienced at the Adams County Jail, Sheriff Hunt said. It will also help with the housing of female inmates.

Female inmates must be completely separated from male inmates, including sight and sound. The sheriff’s department has a difficult time doing this in its home facility, especially when disciplinary actions require inmates to be housed separately from the other inmates.

Currently there are seven female inmates in the Adams County Jail, with another away in Lincoln County.

The cost to house inmates at the Sunnyside prison would be $60 a day, including transport, for short term and $42 a day, including transportation, for a long term holding.

Prosecutor Flyckt speculated the actual cost to hold inmates at the prison was higher than Sunnyside is asking for and that they are asking for such a low price in order to recoup a portion of their costs.

Sheriff Hunt said the Sunnyside prison is able to operate with minimum staffing requirement because of the way it was designed and built, which also cuts down on costs.

The facility was constructed in the early 1990’s.

With the board’s approval chairman Roger Hartwig signed the contract, which will be returned to the City of Sunnyside for their approval.

Once received, the county will be able to begin housing inmates at that location.

Sheriff Hunt said that primarily the county would be housing female inmates at the Sunnyside facility.