Built in 1975, the Walsh County Jail has reached the end of its functional lifespan. Despite ongoing efforts by the County and jail staff to maintain operations, the 50-year-old facility no longer meets the standards for safely detaining inmates or providing a secure work environment for staff. Many temporary repairs to failing infrastructure are proving ineffective and increasingly costly to maintain—if replacement parts are even available.

 

Outdated Jail Design

A major issue with the current jail is its outdated linear design, which creates blind spots and requires extensive closed-circuit television and other monitoring systems to maintain 24/7 surveillance. The proposed new facility will feature a podular design, with a centrally located master control area surrounded by cells and program spaces in a circular or pie-shaped layout. This modern design allows staff to maintain clear sightlines, improving direct supervision of inmates and daily activities. Cameras will serve as a supplemental tool rather than the primary means of monitoring, enhancing both security and operational efficiency. Learn more about podular vs. linear design.

 

Other Jail Issues

Visit the "Existing Conditions" page of this website for pictures and details to learn more about some of the issues the jail is facing. Here is a quick overview:

• The current jail design has a limited number of cell units and does not provide for proper inmate classification, so inmates are often transferred to other county jails throughout North Dakota at a cost to the taxpayers.

• The current inmate has many more problematic issues than in the past which creates a need for special needs beds and more cell beds vs. dorm beds. There are no true special needs beds to allow for ADA classification or medical isolation.

• The current inmate booking area presents security and safety risks due to its inefficient layout in the middle of the jail. Inmates being booked must walk through the facility, passing other inmates and staff, creating potential conflicts and safety concerns. Additionally, the booking area becomes congested, clogging hallways and disrupting movement within the jail. This space is also used for medication distribution, further complicating security and operational efficiency. If a new inmate is brought in during medication pass, they have to wait in a separate cell.

• There is no area to book females inside the jail, so they are booked inside the CCO's office.

• The facility lacks a soundproof environment, which can negatively impact control, safety, and overall effectiveness for occupants. Additionally, the absence of soundproofing increases the risk of sensitive information being accidentally overheard by inmates.

• The doors and locks are outdated, with all but two hallway doors relying on key locks that sometimes malfunction and are difficult to repair or replace. Additionally, it is not safe for staff to carry keys throughout the jail, as it poses a security risk.

• Outdated camera surveillance.

• Main communication systems are located in the basement/boiler room in an unsecured environment. Deflector shield is installed above electronic equipment in case of sewer line break.

• The medical area is shared with the booking space, which creates serious privacy and operational concerns due to lack of confidentiality and disruptions/security risks.

• There is not a dedicated space for mental health visits, and this is something the Sheriff's Office is having to manage more frequently due to reduced state resources (many mental facilities are full). This can interfere with on-going booking procedures and classification requirements.

• There are no safety cells in the jail for inmate safety and behavior management, especially for those who may be at risk of harming themselves or others. Though used as a last resort, they are intended to help with suicide prevention, de-escalation, mental health care, and providing a protective environment (soft surfaces reduce risk of injury if inmate engages in violent behavior).

• Staff areas are insufficient with limited office space, break areas, meeting rooms, and programming space. The staff bathroom is a small chemical closet with no sink.

• There is not an institutional kitchen, so food service is provided by an outside source. This is planned to be brought in-house with the new facility.

• Limited space for laundry function with only residential equipment available. Currently outsourcing due to faulty plumbing/collapsing pipes. Washer can't be used without water backing up and flooding the space.

• Storage constraints throughout facility including inmate property storage/lockers, inmate clothing storage, cleaning supplies, etc. 

• Lack of secure storage for records and evidence. Basement area where records are stored occasionally floods with sewage.

• The air handling system doesn't provide proper air exchanges. No negative pressure cells to isolate inmates to prevent the spread of an illness from cell to cell.

• Mold, mildew, and rust are prevalent throughout the facility and poses health risk to inmates and staff.

• Plumbing is an almost daily concern with sewage backups, crumbling pipes, and collapsed floor drains. In one area of the facility, toilets must be flushed almost simultaneously so the waste can go down the pipes (when one is flushed, you have to run to the next cell to flush the other one). In B Cell the sinks don't drain well so the inmates have to scoop water from the sink and pour into toilet. The plumbing was poured into the concrete making it impossible to replace without removing the concrete.

• Outdated shower fixtures pose operational challenges, as they can lead to maintenance issues, disruptions in inmate hygiene routines, and increased repair costs.

• There are no secure perimeters that provide easy access to electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems so staff has to remove inmates from cell to do general repair work.

• The rubber roof membrane has leaks, letting water into the building resulting in water damage, mold growth, and increased repairs.

• The foundation has water damage.

• The sally port is rarely used due to its small size, making it unsuitable for vehicles, and is often used for storage overflow instead. Inmates are brought in through the lobby, which creates a safety risk for both staff and the public.

• Light power control box malfunctions and has to often be reset downstairs or unplugged to reset.

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Courthouse Issues
The courthouse is struggling with the following issues which would be addressed with the proposed new Jail and Sheriff's Office:

• Heating system

• Boiler

• Waterline safety

• HVAC

• Cooling pipe

• Outdated electrical HVAC system

• Outdated HVAC electrical wiring

​Visit the "Existing Conditions" page of this website for pictures and more details.