2024 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 29
DETENTION SERVICES BUREAU
In 2024, the Milwaukee County Jail (MCJ) booked and cared for nearly 18,000 individuals,
with a daily occupant population average of 925.3, ultimately releasing back to the
community just over 15,000 people. While caring for a significant number of people, the
MCJ staff also passed their annual inspection by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
Each week, the jail’s mental health team made an average of 88 occupant assessments,
gave 31 1:1 supportive counseling sessions, and treated 24 occupants with serious mental
illnesses or developmental disabilities. The MCJ also continued operation of its wellregarded CERT (Correctional Emergency Response Team), which helps maintain order and
protect occupants and staff in the event of occupant noncompliance or mass disruptions.
Correctional Officer (CO) staffing was flat by the end of 2024, hovering in the range of 190
compared to about the same in 2023. This level of staffing was markedly better than 2022,
when we experienced a low of about 130 COs employed. The staffing increase led to force
stabilization in 2023 and 2024 and allowed jail occupants more time out of their cells for
recreational, physical fitness, educational, and other extra-curricular activities.
MCSO also sought to improve jail safety protocols and conditions to reduce the occurrence
of occupant suicide attempts and occupant deaths from illness, and reduce safety risks,
generally, for occupants and employees alike. Among other steps, a dedicated suicide
watch officer was installed in the MCJ’s high security unit.
MCSO 2024 Annual Report
28
