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The new shower surfaces are an
epoxy composite with sand, mak-
ing the surface slip-resistant and
hard, and increasing the life of
the concrete walls behind.
• Electronic water-management
system. Before the renova-
tions, water valves needed to be
manually turned by staff to shut
off water for various reasons,
maintenance, flooding, etc. With
the water-management system,
the water can be shut off in the
officer control unit with the push
of a button.
• ADA-compliant dayroom table.
One dayroom table in each of
the 16 housing units has been
replaced by one ADA-compliant
table with individual seats
instead of a bench seat and
room at the end for wheelchair
accessibility.
he Wayne County Jail new seamless composite floor- • Floor-to-ceiling paint. A local
opened in 2004 and ing installed making the surface painting company was hired to
has recently under- slip-resistant and flexible in the paint all inmate housing areas
gone multiple facility event the floor flex happens from floor to ceiling, improving
Tupgrades beginning in again. New kitchen appliances the look and attitude of staff and
2018. The upgrades are ongoing and were ordered as well, making the inmates.
are expected to be finished mid- kitchen brand new. The Wayne County Jail is most
2021. These upgrades were vital • LED lighting replacement proud of being a model jail across
in order to prevent inmates from throughout the facility. Every the state of Indiana. We have been
harming themselves and for the light fixture in the entire building told by the state jail inspector that
safety and security of the staff and was replaced to be more efficient our jail is the go-to model. In addi-
inmate population. We do a great and essentially maintenance free. tion, the Wayne County Jail has a
job in keeping the facility cleaned • HVAC system replacement facil- SERT (Special Emergency Response
and repaired; however, upgrades ity-wide. VAV controllers were Team) that handles cell extractions,
were still needed. They are as replaced and upgraded with new high-profile transports, and keeping
follows: units to improve efficiency and the staff and inmates safe.
• Full security system upgrade, balance in the system. Our inmate programming
from monitors to cameras and • Inmate housing second-tier includes GED; substance abuse;
new touch screens, improving the meshing added. Inmates made it and CHOICES, which is a company
visual observation of inmates/ a practice over the last 16 years that finds treatment among other
facility and advanced viewing/ to jump from the second tier in things when an inmate is released
recording capabilities. an attempt to injure themselves to help prevent the inmate from
• Facility-wide plumbing replace- and get out of jail free. This only reoffending.
ment from copper tubing to landed the inmate back in jail
plastic. with broken ankles, etc. Written by Captain Andrew Abney-
• Kitchen floor replacement due • Inmate shower wall resurfacing. Brotz, CJM, CJE
to the old clay tile floor being The original shower walls were
uneven and breaking. The floor painted. However, with wear
was taken down to the slab, and tear the surfaces eventually
sanitation lines replaced, and a wore down to the bare concrete.
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