MONROE - The death of a 17-year-old jail inmate in January is still under investigation, Sheriff Jeff Skatrud reported to Green County board members Tuesday.
Kyle S. Peotter, Monroe, was found dead in his cell bed early the morning of Jan. 30. He had been in jail for about four months.
"We've been told he died of a medical condition," Skatrud told members of the Green County Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee at its monthly meeting. More details are pending toxicology test results. Peotter's death does not appear to be a suicide or homicide, Skatrud added.
Two area agencies are investigating the incident. The Monroe Police Department is investigating Peotter's death, and the Iowa County Sheriff's Department is reviewing the shift during which Peotter died to see if deputies correctly followed all jail protocols.
"We owe answers to a family that lost a 17-year-old son," Skatrud said. He expects the investigations to take at least another month.
Peotter was scheduled to appear in court March 5 for a plea and sentencing hearing on felony charges of vehicle theft and contributing to the delinquency of a child.
In other business at Tuesday's meeting, Skatrud reported:
- January's jail population held steady at 52 inmates, the same as in December. Six inmates were out on electronic monitoring. Of 16 inmates eligible for Huber work release, only three inmates went out to work.
"There's not a lot of work out there for them," Skatrud said.
- A mental health program started in January for inmates is helping keep the jail calmer. A therapist from Advanced Correctional Healthcare visits the jail four hours weekly to meet with inmates.
"The jailers tell me it's making a difference already. Things are quieter in the jail already," he said.
The mental health program comes at the recommendation of an inspector who reviewed the jail last year. The jail is also in the process of following the inspector's other recommendation to repaint cell blocks, Skatrud said.
- The sheriff's department finished 2012 more than $150,000 under budget, which Skatrud attributes to smart usage of overtime, increased revenues and "pure luck."
- Restitution from two major recent animal neglect cases is beginning to trickle back to the county, including from a seizure of dozens of Great Danes from a rural home between Albany and Brodhead and from the court-ordered care of horses at a farm south of Juda near the stateline.
- An applicant pool of 49 for a fulltime dispatcher position has been culled to 22 following a written test Jan. 26. All 22 will be interviewed. Skatrud expects to fill the position by the end of March.
Kyle S. Peotter, Monroe, was found dead in his cell bed early the morning of Jan. 30. He had been in jail for about four months.
"We've been told he died of a medical condition," Skatrud told members of the Green County Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee at its monthly meeting. More details are pending toxicology test results. Peotter's death does not appear to be a suicide or homicide, Skatrud added.
Two area agencies are investigating the incident. The Monroe Police Department is investigating Peotter's death, and the Iowa County Sheriff's Department is reviewing the shift during which Peotter died to see if deputies correctly followed all jail protocols.
"We owe answers to a family that lost a 17-year-old son," Skatrud said. He expects the investigations to take at least another month.
Peotter was scheduled to appear in court March 5 for a plea and sentencing hearing on felony charges of vehicle theft and contributing to the delinquency of a child.
In other business at Tuesday's meeting, Skatrud reported:
- January's jail population held steady at 52 inmates, the same as in December. Six inmates were out on electronic monitoring. Of 16 inmates eligible for Huber work release, only three inmates went out to work.
"There's not a lot of work out there for them," Skatrud said.
- A mental health program started in January for inmates is helping keep the jail calmer. A therapist from Advanced Correctional Healthcare visits the jail four hours weekly to meet with inmates.
"The jailers tell me it's making a difference already. Things are quieter in the jail already," he said.
The mental health program comes at the recommendation of an inspector who reviewed the jail last year. The jail is also in the process of following the inspector's other recommendation to repaint cell blocks, Skatrud said.
- The sheriff's department finished 2012 more than $150,000 under budget, which Skatrud attributes to smart usage of overtime, increased revenues and "pure luck."
- Restitution from two major recent animal neglect cases is beginning to trickle back to the county, including from a seizure of dozens of Great Danes from a rural home between Albany and Brodhead and from the court-ordered care of horses at a farm south of Juda near the stateline.
- An applicant pool of 49 for a fulltime dispatcher position has been culled to 22 following a written test Jan. 26. All 22 will be interviewed. Skatrud expects to fill the position by the end of March.