Communication needs for local deputies and police officers topped the list of recommendations filed by the Warren County Grand Jury this week, the first time in several years a new jail has not headed the list.

The report was filed Thursday by the 19-member panel, sworn in Monday by presiding Circuit Judge M. James Chaney.

The grand jury characterized the need as urgent.

“For the safety of our law enforcement officers, the Grand Jury urgently recommends the purchase of local or additional equipment for better communications between deputies and dispatchers with Warren County to cover dead-zone areas,” the jury report read.

As part of its service, the grand jury toured the jail Tuesday, and placed the need for a new jail second on its 10-item list of recommendations. Echoing recent grand juries, those who served in the October term said they were pleased with the progress the county Board of Supervisors has made in “actively pursuing the study and construction of a new jail facility.”

The report stated that the panel feels strongly that a new jail is crucial to the safety of jailers as well as inmates.

A modern, larger jail has been recommended by Warren County grand juries for many years. The current 128-bed facility on Cherry and Grove streets, the original portion of which was built in 1908, is perpetually filled and the overflow population housed at the Issaquena County Correctional Facility about 55 miles away in Mayersville.

Supervisors hired a Colorado-based consultant in August 2008 to prepare a recommendation for size, location and features needed in a new jail. District 5 Supervisor Richard George, board president, said in June that construction is at least three years away.

The grand jury also recommended more investigators for the Vicksburg Police Department, the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the District Attorney’s office. The report expressed the jurors’ concern with pay levels and the retention of staff within the law enforcement branches.

The grand jury finished its service on Thursday after reviewing evidence against 118 individuals in 98 separate cases. Indictments were issued in 79 of the cases, with 12 no-bills, meaning evidence is insufficient to prosecute the case, issued on 12 of the cases.

Friday morning, 37 of the indicted were arraigned — formally told of the charges against them — by Chaney in Circuit Court. Additional arraignments were held Friday afternoon but not released by the District Attorney’s office until paperwork was completed by the court. Those indictments are expected to be announced Monday.

Indictments are not released until arraignments have taken place.

Other recommendations were:

• The citizens of Warren County should contact and urge local legislators to become more involved in juvenile justice issues and implement and support reform in order to reduce crime.

• The Board of Supervisors should continue to fully fund the Warren County Children’s Shelter.

• No tax credits should be made available to businesses that do not allow time off for their employees, without fear of losing their job, to represent their children in court proceedings.

• Another Circuit Court room should be added to the available facilities.

• A firing range should be funded and located within Warren County for firing qualifications that are required on a biannual basis for law enforcement personnel, who currently have to go to Clinton.

• Consideration should be given to providing a separate facility for Municipal Court sessions than the current location at the Vicksburg Police Department.

• The county should consider funding and providing a youth resource officer for county schools, similar to those provided for city schools.

The grand jury also commended District Attorney Ricky Smith for instituting the pre-trial intervention program, which attempts to place non-violent first-time offenders in community service and requires them to get jobs and make contributions to the community.

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Contact Pamela Hitchins at phitchins@vicksburgpost.com