Former state Department of Corrections director praises local group
As a new Fayette County Prison is considered, the process to make that decision is being lauded by a former state Department of Corrections (DOC) director.
Kay Kishbaugh, who previously oversaw the Office of County Inspections and Services, has made several visits to the local lock-up over the years and is in agreement with county leaders that a new facility is needed.
“I think it is long overdue,” she said. “(The current) prison has outlasted its usefulness in its current capacity.”
Built in 1889, the prison was to accommodate only 80 prisoners. Today, on average, more than 250 are housed within the two-story facility. Renovations were undertaken in 1965, 1989 and 1990 with an annex constructed in 2002.
Nonetheless, it continues to cost the county hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to house prisoners in out-of-county facilities.
“The Fayette County officials have been very creative in doing what they can do to maintain the prison,” said Kishbaugh. “Warden Brian Miller has done a great job in managing the facility as well as his deputies. But I think logistically, it just doesn’t work anymore.”
Because the prison operates around the clock, it ages at a much higher rate than a building that is utilized on a limited basis, she added.
“The wear and tear on a prison is high,” she said. “For every one year of operation it equates to about four years. In ten years’ time you have 40 years of wear.
“There comes a time when it is not cost-effective to upgrade.”
James Killinger, county prison working group architectural leader, said that he has relied on Kishbaugh for information and guidance as the committee has moved forward with the project and apprises her on the progress of the group.
“She’s been a great help,” he said.
The initiation of such a group is not the typical approach when counties launch a major undertaking such as a new prison, said Kishbaugh.
“The DOC has likely assisted counties in the past in terms of support or questions about design or capacity or security or layout,” she said. “To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time I’ve heard of an external working group separate and distinct from county government.
“I’ve been impressed by its progression and the goals it has set. Everything has been on target and exceptional. It appears to be very effective and the taxpayers should be pleased with its findings.”