LOUISVILLE, Ky. — What was done on paper now just requires a few taps. Tags outside each cell in the Louisville jail lets officers make their checks on people from a phone.
The Guardian system is one of the largest changes inside Louisville's jail, speeding up the checks. It also sends notifications if they get missed or are behind schedule.
Louisville Metro Corrections Director Jerry Collins took over in April 2022, and began instituting reforms.
The leadership shift happened as deaths inside the jail—mostly from suicide and overdose—topped out at 15 from late-2021 to mid-2023.
Collins said now, the jail serves several roles for its 1,300 incarcerated folks in the hopes their condition improves by the time they leave.
"So we turn into the biggest detox facility, a healthcare facility, a mental health facility," Collins said. "Some of the biggest in the region."
Now, incoming incarcerated people go through a mental health evaluation when they enter the building. Anyone suffering from a mental crisis is put in a special ward, which also has single cells for those struggling with suicidal thoughts. Before, those cells had metal beds.
Maj. Jason Logsdon, who led WHAS11 on a tour of the jail, explained that some people would harm themselves by falling on the metal frame.
Another hazard he considered was how they could strangle themselves by tying clothes or bedding off on the posts. The jail now has its barred windows covered by plexiglass for the same reason.
Stopping overdoses means mail is digitized to stop the contraband from getting inside.
Collins also added body scanners for people returning from trial after they discovered drugs on prisoners coming back from courtrooms.
As a new standard, people must put on a jumpsuit after officers found drugs sewn into people's clothing—which jail leaders say people bring in to sell at a premium.
Under Collins's leadership, the jail brought deaths down to zero for nearly a year, lasting from June 2023, until May 2024, when the suspected overdose of Richard Graham drew a vigil outside the jail.
"And other than the families," Collins said with tears in his eyes, "don't think nobody cares more than we do. I understand, every death is tragic. That's our goal. That's what keeps us up at night, every night."
The culture shift forced Collins to fire several officers who didn't fit his standards for professionalism and care.
And as he still faces an officer shortage, it shows that even if it can be difficult, change is possible.
The ACLU of Kentucky led a coalition criticizing the jail after the death spike, and through a statement from their policy strategist, Kungu Njuguna, expressed approval of the director:
"When the government chooses to incarcerate a person, it also takes on the responsibility of caring for them. The ACLU of Kentucky and partner organizations have been working with justice partners for two and a half years to improve conditions in Louisville’s jail. We are grateful to the jail director for his willingness to work with us, the improvements he has made in the jail, but we know there is more work ahead. We know when House Bill 5 is enacted, populations in jails across the commonwealth will explode, and Louisville will be no exception. We stand ready to strategize and respond in tandem with LMDC officials and justice partners."
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