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NEW ULM -- As they are in most places in the United States, correctional officers are in short supply in Brown County and have been for more than five years.
"We're losing three of them this month. Two went to other counties, the other to a city job," said Brown County Jail Administrator Steve Appel.
The corrections and law enforcement job fields have lots of opportunity and room for growth.
"Often times, people use corrections and/or dispatch as a stepping stone to learn the business and move on to a licensed officer position or some with probation," said Brown County Sheriff Jason Seidl.
"Sometimes we get people for a short amount of time. Sometimes we get people for a very long time," Seidl added.
"In a little bit, we'll be down six correctional officers from a full complement of 15. We staff the jail 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Weekends, nights and holidays."
Seidl said more and more jail inmates are dealing with mental health issues including disorders.
"There's a lot more severe drug use," Appel said.
Seidl said correctional officers deal with individuals the courts commit to the division of human services and are awaiting placement. Those individuals are supposed to be out of jail within 48 hours but the average placement wait is about 60 days.
Appel said some individuals with mental health issues wind up in a hospital emergency room for three to six days and wind up back to square one, back in jail.
"It's a frustrating procedure," he added. "There is no other place for them to go."
Appel said the problem stems from the State of Minnesota shutting down state hospitals in favor of residential housing units.
"They tried moving from state hospitals to community-based models a number of years ago and integrate people back into communities," Seidl said.
"Now it's trickling down to the jails," said Appel. "The system needs to be fixed. I don't have the answer but it'll take a ton of money to bring it back up to speed again. The resources are just not there now. They're relying on jails that are not equipped to handle people with mental illnesses."
Seidl said Mankato-based Horizon Homes, Inc. Crisis Services serves Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Freeborn, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Rice, Sibley and Watonwan counties with the South Central Crisis Center, a mobile crisis Team and crisis line.
"It's for a situation when an officer goes to a call and somebody is in crisis. They'll come out or call an individual after an officer leaves the scene. It's voluntary," said Seidl.
Mobile Crisis Services provide support 24 hours a day, seven days a week with all volunteer services to children, teens and adults experiencing a mental health crisis via tele-health or in-person at home, at school, or any other location a client chooses.
Crisis and risk assessment and treatment plans focus on problem solving and coping strategies, resources and information to locals services, crisis prevention and brief, ongoing support through stabilization.
Services are offered in English and other languages through Language Line Solutions. Grant funding is available if insurance does not cover services.
The South Central Crisis Center provides a 16-bed, short-term crisis unit. Stays range from a few hours to up to 10 days.
Brown County correctional officers have an hourly salary range of $23.60 to $26.46 with full earning potential is $33.26 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.
Qualifications include at least one year post-secondary education in law enforcement, corrections, sociology, or a related field and two years related experience or a high school or GED diploma and four years related experience.
Current First Responder Certification is preferred. Other qualifications are using judgement and problem-solving skills in dealing with inmates, reacting effectively in emergency and stressful situations, good written and verbal skills.
A pre-employment physical and drug screen, psychological evaluation and background investigation are required.
For more information, visit www.horizonhomes.org; www.governmentjobs.com/careers/brownmn and co.brown.mn.us.