By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Behind the secured doors of the Ellis County Jail, day-to-day life runs on routine, respect and a commitment to safety, according to an Ellis County detention lieutenant.
Ellis County Detention Lt. Dustin Barnes said the 72-bed jail in the center of Hays operates differently than many people might assume.
"It's not like you see on TV. Especially nowadays. It's not throwing them in the cell and throwing away the keys," Barnes said.
The jail houses individuals awaiting trial, sentencing and serving short-term sentences. Staff also manage inmate transports to the Kansas Department of Corrections when required and are responsible for access to health care within the facility.
Officers rotate through day, evening and night shifts, handling responsibilities ranging from court scheduling to housekeeping. Barnes said the jail has 18 detention officers, with someone always keeping watch.
"At any given time, we have at least three on staff," Barnes said. "Always a minimum of three as one person has to sit at the control center and maintain coverage of cameras, doors and intercoms."
Safety measures include a multi-door security system and officers equipped with tasers. Barnes said detention officers do not carry the same gear as patrol officers as a precaution.
"Guns are not allowed in the detention center just for the off chance that someone gets hold of one of them," he said. "We also don't use pepper spray on the jail floor. ... We would pretty much be taking out an entire pod if we used it."
At a recent Ellis County Commission meeting, Sheriff Scott Braun received approval to purchase 16 stab-proof vests for detention officers. Barnes said the department had applied for a grant to get them.
Barnes said the booking process involves bringing arrestees through a secure garage, moving them into a pre-booking room, and collecting and storing their personal belongings.
Within the two-floor jail, inmates are separated based on behavior, with dormitory-style areas reserved for lower-level offenders who may even show courtesy to officers despite the circumstances.
"They're human beings. They've made a mistake, are paying their debt to society and are going through their court proceedings. It's sort of a give-and-take respect sort of thing," Barnes said.
The county jail works with outside organizations such as High Plains Mental Health to provide care for inmates with mental health needs.
Barnes has worked in the county jail for six years. He said detention officer training includes a one-week jail academy in Hutchinson and 20 hours of continuing online education. Officers can request additional training if they choose.
You can view the Ellis County Jail booking logs posted weekly here.