Beltrami Commissioners briefed on challenges with jail staff retention
Beltrami County is having trouble retaining its staff at the jail for a long time. On Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners received a presentation from Beltrami County Sheriff s Office officials on what challenges are leading to the problem. 7:58 pm, Jul. 20, 2021 ×
Beltrami County Jail. (Pioneer file photo)
BEMIDJI Challenges at the Beltrami County Jail resulting in heavy staff turnover were highlighted Tuesday, July 20.
During the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners meeting, Jail Administrator Calandra Allen informed commissioners about the facility s ongoing employee retention issue. According to Allen, several staff members leave their positions on a yearly basis, for a variety of reasons.
A Minnesota nurse who was working at the Beltrami County Jail in August 2018 is speaking publicly for the first time about the events that led up to the death of a 27-year-old Black man who died while in custody more than two years ago in Bemidji, Minnesota.
According to Stephanie Lundblad, Hardel Sherrell was denied medical care until his death although he repeatedly pleaded for help. Lundblad said staff members accused him of feigning paralysis and other symptoms.
“I felt like I had witnessed a murder,” she told KARE 11.
Sherrell first arrived at the jail on Aug. 24, 2018. He had been arrested on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm. Over a period of six days, his condition deteriorated. Although by the morning of Aug. 28 he told guards and a nurse he could not feel anything from the waist down, the nurse and guards at the jail insisted he was faking. Video footage shows Sherrell’s limp form being dragged from a wheel chair to a cot on the floor as he grew increasin
Committees formed for long-term Beltrami County Jail discussion
At its Tuesday meeting, the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners moved forward with the creation of several committees to consider options related to the jail. Commissioners also took action related to the veterans services officer position. 8:14 pm, Apr. 6, 2021 ×
BEMIDJI Four committees were established on Tuesday, April 6, to determine the future of the Beltrami County Jail.
The new steering committee is set to include:
Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince.
Beltrami County Sheriff Ernie Beitel, Jail Administrator Calandra Allen and Administrator Thomas Barry.
Department of Corrections Regional Director Trisha Hansen and Tribal Liaison Randy Goodwin.
Beltrami Commissioners get first look at potential jail committees bemidjipioneer.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bemidjipioneer.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
City approves addition to agreement with Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to fight human trafficking
The Bemidji City Council on Monday authorized adjusting an agreement between the Police Department and the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to combat human trafficking. The Council also authorized Mayor Jorge Prince to join a committee related to the Beltrami County Jail. 2:44 pm, Mar. 16, 2021 ×
The Beltrami County Jail was originally built in 1989 with updates added throughout the years. County officials recently said the jail is deteriorating and lacking in space. (Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer)
BEMIDJI An amendment to an agreement with the state regarding human trafficking law enforcement efforts was approved by the Bemidji City Council Monday.