The three candidates running for Kewaunee County sheriff know that while improvements are being made to the current Kewaunee County Jail, questions about its long-term future remain.
What began several years ago as an ambitious plan to replace the state's oldest and smallest jail has instead turned into roof repairs and other improvements to address immediate concerns raised by the state jail inspector. In September 2024, Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski acknowledged that staffing challenges played a role in shelving the replacement plan, but also suggested the county cannot continue relying on other counties to house its inmates.
"The deficiencies of our current facility go well beyond cosmetics," Joski wrote. "Our current facility's mere design and configuration have been and continue to be the greatest source of concern and risk."
In interviews with the Republican Party of Kewaunee County, candidates Eric Zellner, Scott Szydel and Kevin Schmidt acknowledged the current repairs are only temporary.
Zellner expects the issue will need to be addressed within three to four years, after some of the county's other major projects are completed. He believes it is not ideal to house inmates in neighboring county jails because housing rates can change and end up costing the county more than budgeted.
Szydel expressed a similar concern about the unpredictability of inmate housing costs. If building a new jail is not feasible, he said he would like to explore what it would take to bring the current facility up to code.
Drawing on his construction experience, Schmidt said it is important to begin addressing the issue now to help control future construction costs. Until the county can increase its jail capacity, Schmidt said it has little choice but to house inmates in other county jails.
Zellner, Szydel and Schmidt will face off in the Republican primary on Aug. 11. With no Democratic candidate in the race, the Republican nominee is expected to run unopposed in the November general election.
You can listen to the candidates' full interviews by clicking this link or watch them here.
