County jail in La Crosse passes inspection, but signs of building’s age are noticed by sheriff

La Crosse County’s jail has passed its yearly inspection, but the sheriff keeps an eye on maintenance needs throughout the year.

Sheriff John Siegel tells a county law enforcement committee that the current jail, which opened in 1997, is showing signs of long-term use.

“It’s starting to show its age in the receiving area, and the venting and fixtures and things are starting to get rusted, and need to be cleaned up,” said Siegel. “By next year’s inspection, that should be taken care of.”

Siegel says the jail’s cleaning staff received about 10 specific requests early this week for maintenance, which he describes as a “full-time job.”

“They probably receive anywhere from one to five facility requests a day, just out of the jail,” said the sheriff.

The law enforcement center replaced the former courthouse and jail on the opposite side of 4th Street, which had operated for 32 years, and is now the Hub apartment building.