New leader helps team manage around county jail shortcomings

GAYLORD — Scott Musall is the new administrator for the Otsego County Jail and he wants the public to understand the demands that are being placed on corrections officers today.

Musall said patience may be the most important asset a new officer will need for the job.

"You will deal with people from all different backgrounds and in most cases you aren't dealing with people in their best moments," said Musall, a 10-year veteran of the Otsego County Sheriff Department.

"We also have to do some counseling as well. We have to talk to the inmates or otherwise they can go crazy back there. Plus you have to be a good role model and look after your colleagues," he added.

Musall has taken over the leadership role at the jail after longtime administrator Brian Webber retired. Like Webber, he believes that the current jail, built in 1967 and last updated in the 1980s, is outdated and needs to be replaced.

"We are dealing with an old facility. We can't pass our MDOC (Michigan Department of Corrections) yearly inspection because of what we are working with, like just one holding cell. This is a big liability for the county and we are lucky in that we have a good team to manage it to the best of our ability," said Musall.

The jail has a capacity of 34 and is almost always at or slightly over that limit. Because of the space limitations, the jail usually only accepts those who are accused of a felony charge. The lack of available space also means Musall and his staff have to juggle cell assignments.

"There may be an 18 or 19-year old who doesn't have a criminal history and is facing a drunk driving charge having to share a cell with a career criminal who has been in prison for over half of their life. That is not a good situation," he said.

Not only does the jail have to house someone who is drunk, it also has to accommodate those who may have mental health issues or are on drugs.

"With all of the drugs that are available on the street now, it is very stressful in some circumstances to try and figure out why someone is acting strange. Is it drugs or something else? We are dealing with more individuals with mental health problems," said Musall.

Currently his staff at the jail is comprised of one sergeant and nine officers.

"They are fairly new as most have four years or less (of experience). We are low on staff and we are trying to get some new ones hired," he said.

Musall said the small jail capacity also makes it a challenge to have enough separation between male and female inmates.

"The female inmate population is growing," he added.

Musall is excited to work with the county administration. If the county board does decide to ask the voters for a tax to build a new jail, he wants to directly address the public.

"If we do have a voice on a new jail, I want the public to come in and talk with us about what we do," he said.

— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: New leader helps team manage around Otsego County jail shortcomings