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Woodbury County Jail Referendum Forum, The Exchange 02.26.20

Siouxland Public Media's Mary Hartnett and Sheila Brummer at the Sioux City Public Library on Wednesday, February 26, presenting a live edition of The Exchange on the Woodbury County jail bond referendum

On Wednesday, February 26, Siouxland Public Media hosted a live edition of the  Exchange at the Sioux City Public Library.  The topic was the Woodbury County jail bond referendum, set for Tuesday, March 3.

County residents will decide whether to a 50.3 million dollar bond to pay for a new jail.  County leaders and those who work in the jail say it is too crowded and has numerous plumbing, heating and cooling problems.

It was built to hold 80 inmates and now it has 230 inmates. 

We talk about the issues behind the jail referendum and they could be dealt with.  Also, we talk about some of the reasons so many people are behind bars in Woodbury County.

Our guests on Wednesday:

Longtime Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew.

Woodbury County Supervisor Keith Radig.

Rita De Jong, who heads up the Boost Program.  Sioux City BOOST helps young adults ages 18 through 24 to finish their high school diploma/get a GED, build, and job skills and become employed.  Many young people in the program have been involved in the adult or juvenile criminal justice system. 

Jim Rixner, who was the executive director of Siouxland Mental Health for 19 years and he is also a former Sioux city council member.