Millage proposal to fix Jackson County Jail goes to ballot in August

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — As Election Day approaches, a Jackson Public Safety millage promises to replace a crumbling jail, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office hopes to educate the community on what they call “inadequate conditions” in the facility.

A new facility is in the works but hinges on the public vote.

The Public Safety Millage has shown up in years past but failed to get enough votes in 2022. This time around, after some revisions, officials hope that by giving the public a look inside the jail, they may finally get some help.

“That’s actually Flex Seal that we are using to keep that in place,” said Captain Anthony Stewart of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office regarding the facility’s pipes. “Look over here, you see all these pipes have been corroded. See that pan? That catches the sewage so it doesn’t fall on them, and it drains right in here, not ideal, it’s not a 2024 secure facility.”

From decaying pipes to a heading and cooling system regulated by a meat thermometer and a control room with faulty hardware, Jackson County officials say that while they may be making do, the facility—built in the 50s, is struggling to keep up.

“Last year, we had 14 assaults on staff, we had 5 escape attempts, everyone around us had zero,” said Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette.

The sheriff says the facility has created poor conditions for not only the workers but the inmates as well.

“We’ve had three people attempted to hang because in these cells it’s bars,” said Captain Stewart. “That’s 1800s, that’s early 1900s jailing, we don’t want to scare people but you know if something bad happens, we are going to get sued.”

Because of all of these facility issues, the department is hoping that a new millage will pass in August and pay for a new $52 million facility on Chanter Rd.

“It provides for us to be able to revame the Chanter Rd. facility, our patrol operations will move out there as well as our jail operations,” said Sheriff Schutte.

The department is asking for a 0.9 mil increase in property taxes, which means that a $100,000 home would see an increase of $45. It would not only pay for the construction of an up-to-date jail but its operating costs as well. The current jail, located on Wesley St., would close down, and the building would be solely used as the sheriff’s headquarters.

“We are hoping that we can educate people so they can make an informed decision coming up Aug. 6, said Captain Stewart.

If the millage passes, the sheriff told 6 News that construction on the Chanter Rd. facility would start in the spring of 2025. The department would also need to begin the bidding process for local contractors.

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