Get out of jail wet
(Photo: Courtesy of Hasbro Ent.)
Mono County jail floods. Inmates transferred
Tuesday’s big storm wreaked all sorts of havoc in Bridgeport, flooding the Mono County jail and forcing the relocation of inmates to Inyo County.
The storm couldn’t have arrived at a more inopportune time, as the jail was in the midst of a long overdue roofing project.
Work on the project began the first week of October.
The scope of the project was to install a new roof over the entire Jail and Administration complex.
Initial work had been completed to removal the old existing roof down to the concrete slabs.
Knowing that a large winter storm was forecast, attempts were made to cover the exposed roof and to minimize the possibility of water/snow compromising the interior of the facility.
These attempts failed.
At approximately 10:30 a.m., the first signs of water entering the Jail and Administration facility were noticed. It soon became obvious that the situation was untenable. By late morning the decision was made to evacuate all inmates to another jail facility for their safety and well being.
Sheriff Rick Scholl said 40 to 42 inmates required transfer to the Inyo County jail in Independence.
Mono County will pay Inyo County $182 per day to house inmates. Scholl estimates this arrangement will last three weeks.
Given this cost, there was obvious incentive NOT to transport some inmates if possible, not only because of incarceration costs, but because of transport costs (paying overtime for deputies to take inmates from Bridgeport to Independence before returning home).
In a meeting with Mono County Superior Court Judge Stan Eller, it was determined that a small number of inmates (7) with less than 12 days to serve for minor offenses would be simply released. Another 8 to 10 were released on their own recognizance with the idea that they would be re-sentenced to serve their time at a later date.
The remaining inmates were transported three at a time, with the exception of two inmates who were considered greater risks and were transported separately by two deputies each.
A security team from the Mono County Sheriff’s Department was assembled and shortly after noon, all inmates, with the exception of two whose cells were not affected by water at that point, were moved over the Bridgeport Memorial Hall.
At approximately 3 p.m., numerous Mono County Sheriffs Department units, along with several units from the California Highway Patrol, transported 22 inmates to the Inyo County Jail Facility in Independence without incident.
During this incident, Mono County Public Works employees, along with Sheriff’s Department employees, worked to minimize further interior damage to the facility. Late in the evening, two outside companies (one being Servicemaster of Mammoth) were also called in to also assist in cleanup operations.
The second firm, based out of Reno, arrived with special sensory equipment to determine when the computers would be safe to turn back on.
Mono County Information Technologies employees worked throughout the day and evening maintaining integrity for the various computer systems necessary for the Sheriff’s Department to conduct business relating to the 911 system and records department.
The California State Office of Emergency Services was contacted for a portable communications trailer for possible use if the situation worsens.
Ironically, one of the reasons the roof was being replaced was because the old roof, according to County Administrative Officer David Wilbrecht, leaked right over the dispatcher’s console. necessitating immediate attention.
In response to criticism that such a roof repair shouldn’t have been initiated in October when bad weather can become a factor, Wilbrecht said he and Public Works Director Evan Nikirk had discussed this very topic prior to starting the project.
Statistically, said Wilbrecht, Nikirk found October, on average, has less rainfall than some summer months.
Scholl attributed it all to “just crappy luck.”
Trying to find the silver lining in the situation, Scholl did note that the flooding has created the impetus to purchase all-new inmate bedding, pillows and blankets.
Sheet: So it really will be the Bridgeport Hilton after all.
Scholl: It won’t be such a bad place to be.
All court proceedings for inmates, both in custody and released, will still be conducted in Mono County Superior Courts as scheduled.
Scholl said San Bernardino County has loaned his department a 13-vehicle van to facilitate the transport of inmates from Independence to Mammoth to attend such proceedings.
The Mono County Sheriff’s dispatch is fully operational. All 911 and any routine calls using the business line(s) to the Sheriff’s Department will be handled per usual through the Bridgeport Facility.
At this time it is unknown when the Mono County Jail Facility will reopen.
In terms of who pays, that’s a question for the attorneys to resolve. Wilbrecht said the General Contractor, Rudolph Construction, is bonded and insured.
