Kootenai County Jail Overcrowded, Out of Compliance as Expansion Continues

The Kootenai County Jail is overcrowded, out of compliance with state standards, and potentially facing higher insurance costs, even as commissioners oversee an active expansion project intended to fix the problem.

An Idaho Sheriff's Association inspection found the 450-bed facility was frequently overcapacity between September 2021 and April 2022, according to a letter obtained by the Coeur d'Alene Press. The jail met all other state standards, but overcrowding alone is enough to jeopardize its certification status. Jails certified by the Sheriff's Association receive a discount on insurance through the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program, meaning noncompliance could raise costs for the county if the situation goes unresolved.

Separately, Commissioners Duncan and Eberlein conducted a quarterly inspection of the jail, with the county posting an update describing ongoing efforts to improve capacity through the expansion project. The scope, timeline, and cost of that expansion have not been publicly detailed.

The Sheriff's Association inspection found staffing meets state minimums, with at least 10 to 15 detention deputies on each shift. But Norris said those numbers are not sufficient given the current inmate population. The ratio of inmates to detention deputies is too high, he said, and filling open positions has proven difficult.

"The commissioners have made efforts to try to improve pay and attract people," Deak said. "But we're having a hard time even getting people to apply."

County commissioners recently raised the starting wage for detention deputies to $22.87 per hour. Norris wants that figure pushed to $26, a threshold he described as a basic necessity rather than a premium.

"In Kootenai County, $26 is barely a livable wage," he said.

One proposal under consideration is rehiring former detention deputies, who have already completed background checks and training and could return to duty faster than new hires. Norris declined to rule anything out.

"We're not taking anything off the table," he said.

County leaders also discussed asking voters to approve a permanent override levy, potentially on the November ballot, to fund additional sheriff's office resources. Norris initially expressed openness to the idea but has since reversed course.

"To put an additional burden on taxpayers is not something I'm interested in," he said.

With the expansion still underway, the county has not yet confirmed how many beds the project will add, when it will be completed, or whether the jail is currently operating above its 450-bed capacity.