The program recently proposed by County Sheriff Rick Lisenbe to allow non-violent offenders to work outside the jail on community projects may have hit a snag.
According to recommendations issued Tuesday by the county’s liability-insurance provider, MO-PERM, prisoners assigned to outside work details would need continuous law-enforcement supervision, additional accidental and medical insurance and adequate safety-equipment.
“We’ll have to review what they propose to see whether we can proceed,” Lisenbe said. “We’re hoping to keep the program.
Lisenbe said the department already checked with the state’s Department of Corrections prior to advocating the program at a local level and learned that DOC work-group supervisory staff is not armed. Moreover, PCSD trustee inmates already are insured for work details in the jail, he said.
On March 11, while continuing his project of divesting his department of unused equipment, Phelps County Sheriff Rick Lisenbe has recommended the County Commission award a bid offering to purchase a used K-9 vehicle insert.
The Commission awarded the bid to Johnson County, which offered to purchase the canine vehicle insert from the Sheriff’s Department for $407. Johnson County was the only bid the county received after advertising the sale of the equipment.
On March 9 the commission discussed the Missouri Prosecuting Attorney and Circuit Retirement System suing Phelps County for more than $23,000 in funds it says the county owes to the pension system.
