The Cayuga County Jail met most state standards during a state agency inspection in January, and the agency found the jail has since fixed the areas where it was out of compliance.
The state Commission of Correction conducted a minimum standard evaluation Jan. 10-14 at the jail. The results of that report were obtained by The Citizen March 17.
In November, The Citizen reported inmate concern with proper access to items providing their basic needs.
The commission staff investigated inmate complaints of cold temperatures within the facility, lack of proper clothing issued by the jail and inadequate food portions.
Commission staff reported they took temperature readings with a digital thermometer and found a 69 to 76 degree range within different parts of the jail.
"It is the commission staff's opinion that the temperature range at the Cayuga County Jail are within an acceptable temperature range for living conditions," the report said.
Inmates also reported they were suffering from a shortage in uniform items - including underwear and sweatshirts at the jail, but Cayuga County Sheriff Rob Outhouse said last year the problem was fixed after additional sets of underwear, shirts and socks were ordered.
The commission staff found that the facility is now providing every inmate with enough clothing items to include a change of clothing and two 12-dozen orders of sweatshirts have now been distributed to inmates.
Inmates also expressed concern that food portions were too small. The commission staff found food portions are adequate and are reviewed twice a year by a dietician.
The jail was found out of compliance for:
• Not having the chief administrator review administrative confinements within 24 hours.
• Not having up-to-date training certifications for staff handling pepper spray.
• Jail sergeants giving the appropriate paperwork to inmates wanting to file grievances within a 24-hour period.
Outhouse said the jail is now in compliance with all these areas, and his staff worked with the commission inspectors to update their understanding of the state's regulations.
"The bottom line is I think these inspections are a good thing. We work at refining things with them," Outhouse said.
The state Commission of Correction inspected the jail in the areas of security and supervision, discipline, visitation, food services, sanitation, the jail's commissary, personnel standards, exercise, the inmate's grievance program, staffing requirements, chemical agents and educational services.
Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net
In November, The Citizen reported inmate concern with proper access to items providing their basic needs.
The commission staff investigated inmate complaints of cold temperatures within the facility, lack of proper clothing issued by the jail and inadequate food portions.
Commission staff reported they took temperature readings with a digital thermometer and found a 69 to 76 degree range within different parts of the jail.
"It is the commission staff's opinion that the temperature range at the Cayuga County Jail are within an acceptable temperature range for living conditions," the report said.
Inmates also reported they were suffering from a shortage in uniform items - including underwear and sweatshirts at the jail, but Cayuga County Sheriff Rob Outhouse said last year the problem was fixed after additional sets of underwear, shirts and socks were ordered.
The commission staff found that the facility is now providing every inmate with enough clothing items to include a change of clothing and two 12-dozen orders of sweatshirts have now been distributed to inmates.
Inmates also expressed concern that food portions were too small. The commission staff found food portions are adequate and are reviewed twice a year by a dietician.
The jail was found out of compliance for:
• Not having the chief administrator review administrative confinements within 24 hours.
• Not having up-to-date training certifications for staff handling pepper spray.
• Jail sergeants giving the appropriate paperwork to inmates wanting to file grievances within a 24-hour period.
Outhouse said the jail is now in compliance with all these areas, and his staff worked with the commission inspectors to update their understanding of the state's regulations.
"The bottom line is I think these inspections are a good thing. We work at refining things with them," Outhouse said.
The state Commission of Correction inspected the jail in the areas of security and supervision, discipline, visitation, food services, sanitation, the jail's commissary, personnel standards, exercise, the inmate's grievance program, staffing requirements, chemical agents and educational services.
Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net
