Ep. 66 – Beyond Capacity: The Need for a New Flathead County Detention Center

Sheriff Brian Heino doesn't mince words about Flathead County's jail crisis. The 1987 facility is bursting at the seams, with failing systems, inadequate space, and mounting safety concerns. With over two decades of law enforcement experience, Sheriff Heino offers a compelling insider's perspective on why a new detention center represents not just a building project, but a fundamental community investment.

The stark reality becomes clear as he describes detention officers navigating cramped corridors, managing mental health crises without proper facilities, and watching judges make release decisions based on space constraints rather than public safety. The proposed $105 million facility, whose bond has been endorsed by the Kalispell Chamber, would address these challenges while providing dedicated mental health housing and programming space currently impossible in the outdated jail.

As you listen to this podcast, you'll learn how much the proposed facility's bond will cost homeowners (for many, about the cost of a cup of coffee per month), and the benefits that the community will realize with a new facility: restored accountability, improved safety, and investment for the future. Want to see the current conditions firsthand? Click here to sign up for a tour of the current jail facility. www.flatheadjail.com

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