Project Overview
Monroe County in response to a 2009 settlement agreement, the results of two independent studies, and the desire to do and be better for the community, our inmates, staff, and visitors, began earnestly in 2022 the planning and preparation for construction of a new justice center. The new facility would replace our current end-of-life jail facility with a proposed 404-bed jail including 60 mental health beds and 20 holding cells, compared to a current count of 15 total for both, a new Sheriff’s office, and a new facility to house the Circuit court (9 Divisions) Prosecutor, Public Defender, Probation, and Clerk.
The project was in the predesign phase, and construction was anticipated to start in 2026 and finish in 2029. SEA 1 has posed problems for Monroe County Government; however, the Board of Commissioners had been in contact with the State Legislature and were optimistic of a possible solution in the forthcoming legislative session, however given the County Council’s most recent decision not to fund the purchase of property previously agreed upon, and hearing the Council express a variety of concerns and disagreements regarding the project; the project is for all significant purposes on hold.
Timeline of Key Events
2008 | ACLU files class action lawsuit over alleged constitutional rights violations |
2009 | Monroe County enters a consent decree with the ACLU, agreeing to address living conditions and overcrowding |
2017 | Significant renovations occur expanding bed count in existing jail |
2021 | RJS Criminal Justice and Incarceration Study is released, “facility is failing and cannot sustainably provide a constitutional level of care.” |
2022 | County explores 4 properties. Fullerton Pike property is deemed most appropriate. Bloomington City Council denied required rezone. |
2023 | County explores additional 4 sites, including North Park, Thomson, the City owned Hopewell and property south of Monroe Hospital. The city said no to the use of Hopewell. It was agreed to focus on Thomson. Mid 2023, due to additional costs associated with the Thomson property, no response from the City of Bloomington regarding the ability to build a road, known 2.5-year Utility delay concerns and required tree study by the City of Bloomington, staff was directed to investigate North Park. |
2024 | County Council advised of new possible site on Vernal Pike and requested investigation. Due to environmental concerns, required voluntary annexation of the property and contiguous private property to have sewer by the City at a cost of $875,000, it was agreed North Park was the best alternative available by the parties (BoC, CC, Sheriff) |
Late 2024 | September: County Council passes Correctional LIT 0.17% This tax was to bridge the gap between the EDIT financial capacity and project costs. October: BoC signs Property Purchase Agreement November: County Council passes Ordinance 2024-54 fixing the terms and conditions of the purchase of the North Park property |
2025 | November: Council denies additional appropriation request for purchase of the North Park property. Design Development is 95% completed. Total expenditure from 2022 to date: $4,055,642.10 Ken Falk to tour Jail facility November 25th. |
History and Need for a New Facility
The current jail is located in the Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center in downtown Bloomington, first constructed in 1984 with an initial bed count of 128. Over the years, Monroe County has renovated and remodeled the jail, putting the current bed count at about 298. In 2008, a Class Action Suit was filed that alleged the jail did not protect inmates’ constitutional rights due to overcrowding. In 2009 a Private Settlement Agreement was entered into with the ACLU of Indiana. Since then, Monroe County and the ACLU have agreed to a voluntary extension of the consent decree thus stating the ACLU would not push additional legal action, if Monroe County continues to make positive steps toward the reduction of overcrowding and the provision of constitutional care.
Bed Count, Overcrowding, and Functional Capacity
The RJS Criminal Justice and Incarceration Study assessed the issue of bed counts based on historic average daily population in the existing jail. Using two different statistical methods, the study found that the Monroe County Jail must accommodate at a minimum 450 beds by 2049. A second study conducted by RQAW in 2024 indicated 512 beds by 2043. RQAW also noted that with a 258 secure bed population, the operational capacity of the facility is 206 inmates.
Sheriff Ruben Marté emphasized in a July 2024 presentation before the County Council and Board of Commissioners what it means to have a specific bed count, and what is a functional capacity. Thinking in terms of functional capacity, the new facility must be able to provide for accurate classification and segregation of prisoners based on a variety of standards, both relating to individual needs and the crimes for which they are held. This demands a greater bed count than the number of inmates expected to reside in the facility.
For example: A 500-bed facility will not hold 500 inmates. By providing ample room, Monroe County could ensure the health and well-being of inmates and staff are met. the overcrowding concerns as well as the provision of mental health/medical cells, and programing space will allow Monroe County to do more than meet the constitutional level of care. The Board of Commissioners believes our community expects more than
Living Conditions
While Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marté made significant headway in the last few years addressing the most glaring health and safety issues in the existing jail, the facility is at the end of its useful life, is not capable of providing sustainable levels of constitutional care and we believe the people incarcerated in our facility and working in our facility deserve more and should expect more.
Overcrowding is directly linked to living conditions. Limited bed counts preclude classifying inmates in separate sections, such as providing isolated space for those recovering from illness or experiencing mental health conditions. Not every bed will be filled by an inmate, but extra bed space will give Monroe County the flexibility to preserve the inmates health and safety.
Who has the authority to manage and build a new jail?
In Indiana, the management of county jails is a responsibility that ultimately falls on the Sheriff. The Sheriff is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the jail and ensuring inmate health and safety. The Board of Commissioners is responsible for the provision of and maintenance of the building. Any significant financial expenditure must be approved by the County Council. Thus, all parts of the government must work together.
From the RJS Report page 18 Jail Facility Assessment (chapter 12) Findings:
“At 36 years old (2019) the Monroe County Jail has exceeded the structural and functional life cycle, despite recent renovation.
- Lacks capacity to ensure Constitutional levels of inmate care, custody and services.
- Facility design is inefficient
- Unreasonable expensive to maintain and operate
- The facility should be considered as a high risk for liability due to the real and potential risk of harm to inmates, staff and visitors. “