Art Maglinger said after serving as jailer for the past 5 years, he finds the role fulfilling enough to run for reelection in 2022.
Maglinger said through the position he’s been able to pursue his passion to seek justice while working with people, even over the challenge of last year. He said for him the position comes down to care, custody, and control, and he has to ensure his responsibilities align with those principles while serving roughly 100 deputies.
“They’re caring for these inmates. Even though a lot of (inmates) are charged with very serious crimes, (deputies are) still caring for their well-being, feeding them, providing medical care … so it’s kind of a unique position,” Maglinger said.
While his position includes providing safety for the deputies, he wants to ensure that they are able to effectively care for the inmates in the Daviess County Detention Center..
Maglinger said since being in his position, he has been able accomplish several initiatives at DCDC, including upping the camera presence within the facility.
A big initiative Maglinger wants to implement is combatting the contraband that travels into the facility. In addition to enhancing the surveillance cameras , DCDC has also implemented mail scanning protocols.
Maglinger also started a re-entry program to help inmates be better prepared for life outside of the facility and intends to help build that program even further, should he be reelected.
The program, titled Portal New Direction, will offer vocational and occupational training for the inmates. Another program he is starting is for parenting — both for men and women.
Other initiatives include working to provide bulletproof vests through a grant from the Department of Homeland Security and expanding their present partnership with the U.S. Marshall Service.
“I can’t emphasize this enough that it has been a very humbling and eye-opening experience to serve as jailer,” Maglinger said. “…It’s been definitely a humbling experience to see what the deputy jailers do for the community and be able to lead them over the last 5 years.”
