IOWA CITY

Leslie Carpenter, an adjunct associate at the University of Iowa specializing in physical therapy and serious brain illnesses, appeared in front of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors last week and gave them another reason to finance a new county jail.

“We have a social responsibility to house these people, all of them, humanely,” she said during her presentation on mental health at the August 21 work session. “We’re not doing that currently, I’m afraid to say, despite the really good people working in the jail.”

Carpenter recently participated in a tour of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department and Jail.

“They’re storing equipment in the hallways because there’s no other place to store it,” Carpenter said. “They’re doing the best they can, but from my eyes it’s really scary.”

Carpenter, who was a physical therapist for more than 30 years, is now one of the lead organizers for Iowa Mental Health Advocacy and is a frequent speaker about brain illnesses.

The county jail is more than 40 years old and is being constantly monitored for building deficiencies. A recent proposal for an $80 million jail was met with varying responses.

Supervisor Royceann Porter has been one of the most vocal in favor of a new jail while Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz has spoken against a proposal calling for more than 100 beds in a new facility.

“We absolutely need a more humane jail,” Fixmer-Oraiz said. “I think we all agree with that.”

Criminal Justice Committee

A renewed Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee will include all five Johnson County supervisors, Sheriff Brad Kunkel, and County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith, and will begin meeting in October.

Supervisor Chair Rod Sullivan said the committee, which is still being finalized, will likely include 21 or 22 people. All meetings will be open to the public. Monthly meetings are being tentatively planned for the second Thursday afternoon of each month.

The committee’s charge is to “provide specific recommendations regarding policies, procedures and practices relevant to policy makers,” according to an executive summary.

Other committee members will include Iowa City Police Chief Dustin Leston, District Associate Court Judge Brandon Schrock and Michelle Heinz of Inside Out Reentry.

Board Actions

The Board set 5:30 p.m. September 12 as its monthly evening formal session, which will include a number of public hearings in conjunction with zoning and platting applications, and a proposed amendment to Johnson County’s Unified Development Ordinance.

The Board appointed Aria Guzulaityte of Iowa City to a three-year term on the Livable Community for Successful Aging policy board.

Next meeting:

The Board’s next formal session is at 9 a.m. August 29.