BONNER COUNTY, Idaho – An assessment of the Bonner County Jail conducted by the National Institute of Corrections this week revealed that the facility is inadequate for current community needs.
The assessment highlighted several issues, including a lack of kitchen space and a cramped medical center, which have persisted since the jail’s construction in 1989. The findings suggest that the jail’s conditions may potentially violate inmates’ constitutional rights.
“We have the same problems now 30 years later because we did not address it,” Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler stated. “This is the beginning and we can start planning for the future.”
The National Institute of Corrections recommended forming a council to bring together individuals from the criminal justice system and the community to address these issues effectively.
