Departments | Sheriff | In the News | More and more women head to jail
Drug use a major factor in a trend that adds pressure to already crowded jails
Article written by Bob Link and used with permission from the Globe Gazette, published on Sunday, February 25, 2007.
MASON CITY - The six-person women's cell at the Cerro Gordo County Jail is full - not just once in a while, but all the time.
A total of 860 women were held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail during 2006, nearly twice as many as during 2000.
"About two weeks ago, we had a combined female count of 24 in one day," said Jail Administrator Shad Stoeffler. "That's the highest I've seen."
"When I started in 1992, we had very few females. The cell was never overloaded," Stoeffler said.
"Anymore, we have to have two cells and that's with female prisoners being shipped out (to other jails)."
There has been a steady increase in the number of women doing jail time.
At both the local and state levels, women make up an ever-growing segment of the criminal population.
During 2000, Cerro Gordo County housed 426 female prisoners. During 2006, that number grew to 860 prisoners, an increase of 175 from 2005.
The trend isn't limited to Cerro Gordo County. Women are responsible for more criminal activity at both the state and national level.
According to the Iowa Department of Corrections, 20 years ago about 4 percent of Iowa's prison population was female.
Women offenders made up about 9 percent of the prison population as of June 30, 2005.
The Department of Corrections is predicting that in 10 years women will make up about 10 percent of the prison population.
Female inmate populations, nationally and in Iowa, are growing faster than male inmate populations - but the Department of Corrections believe the trend in Iowa is worse.
Between 1995 and 2004, the national female inmate population increased by about 53 percent, compared to 31 percent for men. In Iowa, the woman's inmate population increased by 83 percent.
"It is definitely the case here," said Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pals. "I think a lot of the increase can be attributed to drugs."
Pals said women are held in jail for all the same reasons as men.
They're completing a county court sentence, awaiting a court appearance or transfer to a state facility, like the Beje Clark Residential Facility, or a state prison.
"The increase has been a direct reflection of the increase in methamphetamine popularity," said Pals. "A lot of women use it as a diet (drug), then they get hooked on it."
Pals said women have been arrested for carrying drugs for male friends and have been convicted of manufacturing their own.
Drunk driving, theft and forgery also are bringing more women to jail.
Space is an issue at the Cerro Gordo County Jail.
"It creates a classification issue for us," said Stoeffler. "We have the women's cell with six (spaces) and we can open another cell, but that creates limits for the male population."
When the cells are full, Cerro Gordo County depends upon other counties to house the inmates.
"When we call out we try to go to neighboring counties, like Kossuth or Hancock," Stoeffler said. "That keeps our travel expenses down."
Pals said there is a $50 charge daily per inmate to have them housed elsewhere.
| The Numbers: | ||
| Cerro Gordo County Jail Population by Year | ||
| Year | Female | Male |
| 2006 | 860 | 2,651 |
| 2005 | 685 | 2,463 |
| 2004 | 579 | 2,168 |
| 2003 | 537 | 2,036 |
| 2002 | 683 | 2,213 |
| 2001 | 536 | 2,133 |
| 2000 | 426 | 2,037 |
During fiscal 2005-2006, the out-of-county costs reached an all time high of $146,160.
During the late 1990's, the expense was just over $120,000.
That's when the county opened the annex across the street at 22 Third St. N.W.
During fiscal 2001, the county had no out-of-county housing expense.
But the savings was short lived. By 2004-2005, the costs had increased to more than $30,000.
No women are housed at the annex.
The increase in women prisoners affects jail staffing. When women are in jail there needs to be female jailers.
Currently, six of the county jail's 24 employees are female. Additional female support comes from the dispatch center, as female dispatchers can provide assistance to jail staff.
The women's inmate population was one of the things considered when designing the new Cerro Gordo County Law Enforcement Center.
When the new jail opens late this year, it will be possible to hold 20 women in the general population, five in maximum security and 10 in a work release area.
There will be three dorms (total occupancy 24 people) that can house male or female prisoners.
"It will make for a much better situation," said Pals, "even with the growing number of female inmates."
