AUBURN — The Androscoggin County Jail received a near perfect score after a recent inspection by the Maine Department of Corrections.
Just two areas out of more than 220 standards and procedures were in noncompliance, according to the report based on the Detention and Correctional Standards for Counties implemented by the Maine Department of Corrections. Androscoggin County received scores of 99.2 on mandatory standards and 98.9 in the area of essential standards.
“I would like to congratulate you on a successful inspection,” Steven French, manager of correctional operations for the Maine Department of Corrections, wrote in a letter to the county accompanying the report.
At its last inspection two years ago, the jail received perfect scores of 100 in both categories.
The two items marked as deficient were CPR training for one staff member had lapsed and the jail has exceeded its capacity of 160 inmates multiple times in the past two years.
“I am pleased with the findings and proud of our corrections officers and members of the division for their continued dedication, commitment and professionalism in carrying out their duties and our mission,” Sheriff Eric Samson said. “There’s a lot involved in the profession which is often overlooked, and I clearly value the effort put in by all to maintain a successful operation. While we didn’t receive a perfect score, as we have in years past, we did score high and excelled in areas that are under our control as reflected in the report.”
Capt. Jeffrey Chute is jail administrator.
Inspections occurred June 28 and July 24 by French and Penny Gibson, a nurse auditor. The report said jail staff and inmates were chosen randomly for interviews during the inspection and tour of the facility.
The inspection included areas of administration, accounting and inmate records, training, safety and security, staffing and inmate supervision, admissions and releases of inmates. Also, inmate classifications, inmate discipline, special management inmates, inmate communications, medical and mental health services, food services, inmate services and activities, inmate programs, release programs and sanitation and living conditions.
The individual whose CPR certification had lapsed was recertified July 25. CPR certifications must be renewed every two years.
To eliminate overcrowding, the jail boards inmates at other county facilities and pays a fee.
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