Thompson PUD – The B Square

Monroe County jail commander Kyle Gibbons addresses the county council on Jan. 10, 2023.

Monroe County’s jail is located on the top floors of the Charlotte Zietlow justice center.

In December, Bloomington’s city council unanimously rejected a rezone request for some land in the southwestern tip of the city, where county commissioners had proposed building a new jail.

But planning for the possible construction of a new Monroe County jail continues—as a response to the reports from two consultants delivered to county government 18 months ago. As one of the reports puts it: “The jail facility is failing…”

Still set for Monday (Jan. 23) is the next meeting of the community justice response committee (CJRC). That’s the group that was established by county commissioners to address the problems highlighted in the consultants’ reports.

Even as work continues on planning for the future of Monroe County’s jail, sheriff Ruben Marté’s jail commander, Kyle Gibbons, has addressed both the county council and county commissioners at recent meetings of those elected bodies. His basic message: “We have an obligation to people here now.” Continue reading “Committee on jail’s future gets tweaks, commander says: “We have an obligation to people here now.”” →

The group “Care Not Cages” held a block party on the lawn outside the courthouse before the meeting of the CJRC on Monday Community justice reform committee (Jan. 9, 2023).

Monroe County sheriff Ruben Marté (Jan. 9, 2023)

Monroe County deputy prosecutor April Wilson (Jan. 9, 2023).

Bloomington city councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith (Jan. 9, 2023).

Monroe County councilor Kate Wiltz (Jan. 9, 2023).

Monroe County councilor Jennifer Crossley puts air quotes around the word “progressive.” (Jan. 9, 2023).

Monroe County circuit judge Catherine Stafford (Jan. 9, 2023)

County commissioner Lee Jones (Jan. 9, 2023).

City of Bloomington public engagement director Kaisa Goodman (Jan. 9, 2023).

Former Bloomington deputy mayor and mayoral candidate Don Griffin (Jan. 9, 2023).

Community justice reform committee (Jan. 9, 2023).

Outside on the Monroe County courthouse lawn, before Monday’s meeting of the community justice reform committee (CJRC), members of a group called “Care Not Cages” held what they described as a block party—in opposition to construction of a new jail.

At the CJRC meeting itself, members were frank in airing their disappointment about the way the two representatives from the board of county commissioners have approached the work of making recommendations on addressing problems at the jail.

The facility has been described in a consultant’s report as “failing.”

The 14-member CJRC includes county councilors, judges, the sheriff, representatives from the prosecutor’s office, public defenders office, and the county health administrator, among others.

Drawing specific criticism on Monday was the lack of advance information given by commissioners to CJRC members about a trip they took last week to Arizona, to visit correctional facilities there.

Continue reading “Advisory committee on Monroe County jail hits rough road trying to find common ground” →