OCC back on solid ground

It seemed for years that operating a correctional facility would come close to bankrupting Ouachita Parish.

But the days of million-dollar deficits at Ouachita Correctional Center appear to be behind us.

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury projects OCC will have a $740,000 surplus at the end of the 2015-16 fiscal year. That is part of a financial picture that has been steadily improving over the past few years.

Police Jury treasurer Brad Cammack said the improved financial situation is due to a number of variables:

• An increase in assessed property values. Although the millage has remained the same, more tax dollars are coming in because of the increased property value.

• Cooperation throughout the criminal justice system. The District Attorney’s Office and district court judges are moving cases more quickly, so the number of pre-trial detainees at OCC does not continue to grow.

• An increase in the number of state Department of Corrections inmates. OCC is paid $24.39 to house a state prisoner. There is no reimbursement for housing pre-trial detainees.

• OCC added a 100-bed dorm that helped maintain a DOC inmate population and started a women's work release program, which brings another source of revenue for jail operations.

With the improved financial situation and greater cooperative efforts throughout the criminal justice system, the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office also has been able to appropriately staff the facility, which not only improves safety for inmates, but also for employees.

No one really wants to think about the jail, but it is a necessary facility in a civilized community. It’s good for citizens and taxpayers to know this facility is well run and operating well within its budget.

The editorials in this column represent the opinions of The News-Star’s editorial board, composed of General Manager and Executive Editor Kathy Spurlock, Business and Politics Reporter Greg Hilburn and Education Reporter Barbara Leader.