In August Houghton County expects to ask residents to fund a new jail project. In the past decade, the county has sought to build a new jail site and move out of the facility that was built in 1963. Sheriff Josh Saaranen says policing standards have changed a lot since the county’s facility was built, especially with how departments are expected to care for inmates.
The maximum capacity of our facility right now is 28 inmates. With a classification of inmates, which is a set of rules that we have to follow depending on what the inmate is charged with, how old they are, and what gender they are, they need to be separated in some circumstances. That creates a challenge. In the last year, we’ve been overcrowded over that 28-bed capacity, which puts us in a bind. So that would be one of the biggest challenges. By having a larger jail, that’s appropriate and efficient for our community is very necessary at this point. – Josh Saaranen, sheriff, Houghton County Sheriff’s Office
A new jailhouse would allow the sheriff’s department to house female, juvenile, and male inmates in compliance with modern standards. A potential design choice could also eliminate linear blocks that limit the visibility of officers checking on inmates.
A task force set up last year will share information about the project with the public at a special meeting in April. Faith Morrison from the League of Women Voters, who has worked with the task force, says when the county asked for a millage previously voters had several concerns.
The particular design in 2018 prioritized cost, and it was the least expensive thing that they thought would address the problems in 2018. And some objected to how that would impact the courthouse building itself. And then the league of women voters in particular talked to the staff in the building, and found that many deferred maintenance issues needed to be addressed. There were concerns about the passageways between those who were coming to appear in court and being transitioned from the jail to the court. And then, of course, as you know, there is a requirement that the new jail be in the county seat. So there’s a dilemma, but that was addressed by the county board in identifying, purchasing and annexing the Sharon Avenue site. – Faith Morrison, co-president, Copper Country League of Women Voters
In 2024 Houghton County completed work with the city of Houghton and Portage Township to annex a 6.2 acre lot on Sharon Avenue, previously the sight of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church. Municipal and county leaders began work to annex the sight in 2022 through a PA – 425 agreements. Initial discussions about the site included possibly relocating some court functions if funding allowed for additional service space.
Houghton County failed to achieve a bond mileages for a facility in 2000, 2011 and 2018. And potential costs have only risen since the first request. A new jail could cost Houghton County between 26 and 40 million dollars. If Houghton County does not address jail issues soon the state may be forced to shut down the facility, possibly forcing inmates to travel to other facilities. In 1960, before the current facility was built, prisoners were sent to Marquette and Baraga counties. Commissioners, the sheriff’s office, stakeholders, such as the League of Women Voters, hope to avoid a potential shutdown and the associated cost of detaining prisoners elsewhere.
In monthly commission reports, Sheriff Saaranen has often informed commissioners that the facility has been at or above capacity in the past two years. A new jail site will help resolve capacity challenges by bringing the county into compliance with state jail housing standards.
So the current plan that’s going to be given to the county commissioners is a facility anywhere from 60 to 80 beds. This company will provide two different options. And I feel comfortable with those looking at the trends and what we can potentially see in the future. – Josh Saarinen, sheriff, Houghton County Sheriff’s Office
On April 2nd the Copper Country League of Women Voters will host a public event to discuss the jail proposal at the Portage Lake District library at 6pm. A second informational meeting with the LWV will take place on April 7th at 5th and Elm. Also starting at 6 pm. On April 15th the Houghton County Commission will learn more about specific design options available for the project during a special meeting starting at 10 am. The special commission meeting will begin at 10 am in the country courthouse.
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