Two Bridges Regional Jail Administrator Wayne Applebee credited the staff with a good audit review by the state Department of Corrections (DOC) during a conference call with members of the Lincoln Sagadahoc Jail Authority last week.

The goal of the December 13 pre-audit was to review the jail's compliance with the "Detention and Correctional Standards for Maine Counties and Municipalities" in preparation for the biennial Inspection. The audit consisted of two phases. The first phase was a review of the facility, staff knowledge of the policies and procedures; programs being offered; and chemical control at the facility. The second phase was a review of the Mandatory Standards folders (a folder for each performance standard at the facility).

The Acting Director of Inspections, Bob Lancaster, submitted the following report regarding the Mandatory Standard folders at the jail:

(a) "All folders were well organized and easy for auditors/inspectors to review.

(b) "Most of the folders contained good secondary documentations; be careful not to over indulge with some documentation.

(c) "Standards D-2 is a mandatory standard which contained a plan of action which had gone beyond the documented correction date. Every effort needs to be made to meet this standard.

(d) "Medical standard folders contained blank forms. The Department of Corrections Compliance monitor for medical standards contacted Two Bridges Regional Jail's medical provider to clarify the need for completed medical forms as verification of compliance with all standards. All concerns for inmate confidentiality were addressed. It should be noted that DOC employees conducting standards audits/inspections are responsible to maintain an equal level of confidentiality.

(e) "When utilizing pictures for secondary documentation, it is good idea to label in order to ensure accurate information."

"We would like to commend Sergeant Steve Carmichael for his development and completion of the folders," Lancaster wrote in a letter to the jail. "It is most obvious that you have picked the right man based upon the meticulous development of the folders reviewed."

Lancaster also commended Major Mark Anderson and Carmichael for providing a tour of the jail, which resulted in the following observations

(a) "Very clean corridors and housing units were neat and clean.

(b) "Food service area was observed during the noon meal preparation and remained remarkably clean.

(c) "Inmate rooms were neat and clean in all areas, including Special Management and Disciplinary Housing Units.

(d) "Staff were knowledgeable as to rules, regulations, policies and procedures, fire safety, and security procedures and practices.

(e) "Inmates did present positive comments regarding the programs offered at the facility.

(f) "Excellent program offerings and settings, knitting program, computer training, and in particular the puzzle making program.

(g) "Key Control was notable.

(h) "Tool Control has a well established base at the facility.

(i) "Chemical Control is well in place and easy to follow. The cleaning cart in the admission unit closet was observed to contain empty bottles and some trash. All carts should be inspected to ensure cleanliness and trash emptied daily.

(j) "Staff was very professional and able to answer questions presented by compliance monitors."

The jail authority approved an agreement with Applebee to perform consultant duties beginning January 14, until 30 days after a new administrator is hired or March 31, whichever comes first.

During the term of the agreement he will be paid $400 a week.

His duties will include: develop the 2008-2009 fiscal year's budget; negotiate and develop contract services for the selected medical mental health and substance abuse provider; daily advice and consultation to the correctional administrator to include, but not limited to the following issues: staff, inmate and potential legal, political, media relations and financial; plus other duties.

The authority approved a motion to allow the administrator to enter into negotiations with Crisis and Counseling Centers to provide medical, mental health, substance abuse and dental services to the inmates at the jail.

The contract with Allied resources for Correctional Health (ARCH) will expire the end of the month, and the new provider is scheduled to start by January 21.

It is expected the authority will hold a special meeting to accept a new contract with Crisis and Counseling Centers before their next regular meeting next month.

Interim administrator Mark Westrum told the jail authority they could expect federal inmates to be housed at the jail within the next month. With the anticipation of federal inmates, the jail's shortfall in projected revenue could be reduced.

Currently the projected revenue is down about $104,000. The projected revenue budgeted to date is $698,000, and the actual revenue to date is $594,000.

The federal inmates would bring in about $92 per day per inmate. Westrum said the U.S. Marshalls would probably start out three to five inmates and the jail could end up with as many as 30.

The authority approved a request from Applebee to have the meetings recorded.

The purpose of the recorded meetings is to help the recording secretary write the minutes of the meeting. The recordings will be destroyed once the minutes have been approved by the authority.

The inmate count at the jail, as of January 2, is 83. Lincoln County had 31 inmates; Sagadahoc County 29 inmates; Maine State Prison 18 inmates; Waldo County one inmate; Kennebec County one inmate; and Somerset three inmates.

The authority decided to stay with their officers another year: Sheridan Bond, Chairman; Todd McPhee, Vice Chairman; Peter Lepari, Treasurer, and Katharine Martin-Savage, Clerk.