Jail administrator says he wants higher caliber of job candidate

Curry County's jail remains significantly short-staffed. But while it is a concern, it is far from being a crisis, say the administrator and the chairman of the county commission.

"It is a matter of genuine concern for me," said Administrator Gerry Billy, adding quickly, "but there is no panic."

Billy, entering his fourth month as chief of the troubled facility, said he is still short about 19 employees from a full staff of 78. He said 15 of those vacant are detention officer positions and four are in the booking division.

Billy said interviews to fill the remaining positions are taking place, though he is insisting on a higher caliber of candidate than may have been chosen in the past.

Curry County Commission Chairman Wendell Bostwick said the new administrator's stricter standards for jail employees and job prospects has him confident in Billy and the jail staff.

"I would like to be at full staff," Bostwick said. "My concern there is the overtime required of the staff, the toll it takes on them. However, I have no quarrels with the way he's running the staff.

" I also recognize," Bostwick said, "that he (Billy) is trying to be sure ... we have quality staff and they have to be able to meet his criteria. That will make a really big difference in our jail.

"So, I'm concerned for a number of reasons but I also have confidence in our staff and Mr. Billy to meet the challenge and keep things in order," Bostwick said.

Billy said overtime for the last two-week pay period amounted to about $6,500. He said while the overtime amount is about the average in his short tenure, he expects to end the fiscal year with a budget in the black.

Since taking the job, Billy said he has hired eight new staff members and raised the minimum age of any prospective employees from 18 to 21.

Last week, he said a screening committee of command staff had interviewed 10 applicants in one day.

"I'm extremely encouraged by the quality of the candidates," Billy said, noting many have degrees in law enforcement or corrections.

Billy said the hiring process from initial interviews until the new employee puts on a uniform takes about six weeks.

Any prospective employees must complete several rounds of interviews with Billy's command staff. Candidates for jail jobs will also be subjected to an extensive background check, Billy said.

"Good things take time," said Billy. "I am unwaivered in the manner we're going about this. I don't want somebody who's just taking a job until they find something better. I want employees who want to be here for the long haul."

Billy also said all new employees must complete a 120-hour classroom training session — Basic Corrections Academy — that he will conduct. Billy wrote the Basic Corrections Academy course used by all correctional facilities in Ohio, where he served as a county sheriff for more than 25 years.

Billy said he also conducts in-service training once a month for all jail staff supervisors.

Bostwick said he and other commissioners are satisfied with the changes Billy has brought to the jail.

"We have no security issues because of the way he's managing," Bostwick said. "He has set high standards and staff is stepping up."