Richland County preparing search for new jail director
March 20, 2017
Richland County is preparing to launch a national search for a new director to oversee operations at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, whose longtime administrator is stepping down later this month.
An acting director will be named March 24 and a search committee will begin its work soon thereafter in order to have a new leader on board by October. While the search is underway, the County will conduct an assessment of the facility’s management staff, as well as the physical and technical environment of the about 400,000-square-foot jail complex to ensure a new director has a full understanding of the jail’s strengths and weaknesses.
Ronaldo Myers, the current director of the County’s detention center, who is resigning effective March 31, is providing input to assist his potential successor.
“The departure of Mr. Myers certainly will leave a knowledge gap, as would be expected,” said Richland County Administrator Gerald Seals. “This particular director is someone who worked his way up through the ranks, so he knows first-hand aspects of various jobs at the facility.
“But we’re fortunate to have on staff at the detention center dedicated and competent people who have a deep knowledge about the facility and its operations,” Seals added. “Therefore, we view this opening as an opportunity for Richland County to explore new ways to improve the facility and the service we provide to Richland County residents and people who are detained.”
The detention center, located off Bluff Road in Lower Richland, houses on average about 800 detainees, consisting of people arrested in the unincorporated areas and the municipalities in the County. In addition to 1,120 beds for adults, the facility also has 24 beds for juveniles.
The assessment team will evaluate various areas of the facility, to include:
- Technology needs
- Recruitment and retention of employees
- Efforts to maintain accreditation and seek re-accreditation.
- Training of supervisory staff
- Addressing lifestyle issues of detainees
- Creating an ecumenical infrastructure to address the spiritual needs of detainees
- Proactive strategies to address addiction and habitual offenders
- Training in emergency preparedness
