Kennard is supportive of treatment programs as an alternative to incarceration. But he says there also needs to be the option of punishment if offenders don't follow through with their treatment programs and without jail beds, it becomes just an idle threat.

"Ninety-eight percent of all folks in jail will be back in society. We want to get them back into society to be useful members," he said. "The good majority of everyone in jail has some sort of substance abuse problem. A good many can't read or write. We need to develop programs to assist them."

The sheriff got some good news Tuesday when the County Council budgeted $1.5 million to be used to update the jail's outdated computer system. The new system would allow the county to know instantly who's in the jail and what trends they are seeing.

Cardall, however, said the county is merely copying the programs AP&P already established when it comes to alternatives for incarceration. Specifically, he said the state's Day Reporting Centers, for offenders who needs substance abuse treatment, have been models to the nation for years.

The county's Day Reporting Centers aren't even filled, Cardall said.

"It appears (the sheriff and county officials) are not working well with one another," CardalI said. "I would fill that day reporting center. They could put the reporting center at the Oxbow Jail. I think that's a shame as a leader in the community we're just kind of neglecting those buildings and let them rot."

Cardall has 20 years of law enforcement experience, working for the Department of Corrections in a variety of functions.

"I'm pretty proud we pushed my opponent to a primary. I'm not rich. I'm not a politician. I was able to push him to a primary on a couple thousand dollars through hard work. It's not about money, it's about listening to the people and working for the people."

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E-mail: preavy@desnews.com