Sheriff needs more cameras in jail

Also, barbershop health initiative coming on Father’s Day

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The Howard County Sheriff’s Department began updating the camera system at the Howard County Jail last fall, but a problem quickly surfaced. The pendulum cameras designed to hang from the ceiling in each inmate pod were vulnerable.

Lt. Todd Prifogle approached the Howard County Board of Commissioners recently, requesting money to change the camera plan. The pendulum cameras provided an opportunity for inmates to play Tarzan and swing from them.

“We were going to bring a fifth camera down from the ceiling to give us a 360-degree view,” said Prifogle. “But one of the things that we found as we were installing (the camera) was it also made it available for the inmates to jump off the top rail and grab onto it or to jump up from the table. So, we had to do some thinking and reviewing.”

Rather than risk the investment and the health and safety of the inmates, the sheriff’s department came up with alternatives, but they will be costly.

“The short version of the story is we need to add 18 cameras, or views,” said Prifogle. “One camera may have four views to it. I can't tell you exactly how many cameras we have, but there's hundreds of them out there now.

“The reason we're trying to do this is to stop any kind of lawsuits, or to have video evidence showing what happened in the jail. We need to add 18 different views, which will come up to $34,595.88.”

Lawsuit avoidance is a priority for the sheriff’s department. There have been multiple deaths and violent incidents in the jail over the past two years. An updated camera system could ensure that video evidence is available in these instances.

Prifogle asked the commissioners to approve the expenditure, using a portion of the remaining American Recovery Plan (ARP) money in the county’s possession. He acknowledged that the cameras are expensive and explained that the department actually cut back on the number of cameras initially planned.

“We have pretty good setup now,” said Prifogle. “There’s only a few places that aren't covered, and we do have a camera coming in that we're going to have to add to cover the north garage door. But this money will cover the 18 cameras that we've already installed in order to make the system exactly like you want the system to be.

“Basically, we're trying to make it where we can see everything, and everything is video recorded. We have to have this stuff for evidentiary purposes and for lawsuits. I'm sure (County Attorney Alan) Wilson would appreciate video if we have a lawsuit.”

The commissioners did not enthusiastically embrace the proposal. While there are ARP funds still in the county’s possession, most of the money has been appropriated for other projects.

“I definitely want a chance to study this and look at our ARP funds,” said Commissioner Jack Dodd.

Dodd moved to table the issue until the board’s June 19 meeting, and the board agreed.

Barbershop health initiative on Father’s Day

It is important for men to “know their numbers.” Their blood pressure, glucose levels, and other health statistics, that is. On Father’s Day, they’ll get the chance to have a health screening and a haircut at the same time.

The Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative will take place on Sun., June 17, from noon until 3 p.m. at R&R Barbershop, 1114 17th St., near the Markland Mall. According to Lisa Washington with the Indiana Minority Health Coalition, this will be the second opportunity this year for men to get a handle on their health.

“The event is conducted through the Indiana Commission on the Status of Black Males, the Indiana Minority Health Coalition and the Minority Health Alliance in Howard County,” said Washington. “We try to do this initiative every year, and we did one in April. But the barbershop wanted another one.”

While the event is geared toward males, any adult can participate in the screenings, and those who do will receive a 10-percent discount on any services R&R provides. For additional information about this event, call 765-252-3818.