Wright County citizens ’spend a day in jail’
BUFFALO, MN – It’s one of the last places anyone wants to go – jail, but the Evergreen Grove Extension Group of Delano did just that St. Patrick’s Day

Fortunately this visit didn’t involve fingerprints or mug shots. As the group participated in a tour of the new Wright County Law Enforcement Center, Wright County Jail administrator Gary Torfin gave an informative and interesting tour, leading the group through areas rarely seen by the public.

The new 350-bed facility is located on 89 acres of previously undeveloped land in Buffalo. The facility will house adults, male and female, whose sentences range from a few days to a year.

(Take a virtual tour of the new Wright County Law Enforcement Center. Story continues below by Jen Bakken)

There is a master control center with 144 cameras monitored at two stations. A

“Last year, our average daily population was 96, with the average length of stay being eight days,” Torfin said. “We booked about 4,400 individuals.”
In January, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office moved into the new law enforcement center. At this time, Wright County Jail operations remain at the courthouse facility in downtown Buffalo, but will be moving to the new building in April.

A recreation room, television viewing area, a library, education classes, and other programs are available to inmates. The inmates pay for these programs through vending machine purchases.

“These programs, the TV, the rec room, all of it is paid for through canteen sales,” Torfin said. “It serves as a diversion and helps to modify behaviors.”
The jail has a medical area with a contracted registered nurse on staff 44 hours each week, a licensed practical nurse 20 hours each week, and a doctor visits inmates once per week.
In the kitchen, contracted staff prepare the inmates two hot meals a day, one cold, and maintain all kitchen duties.
“Well, I would sure never want to end up here,” said Renata Russek. “And, I’m going to make sure I tell my grandchildren so they stay out of trouble, too.”