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"Each year they strive to continue their perfect record," said Lapeer County Sheriff Ron Kalanquin. "No escapes and no suicides."

Though it's still referred to as the "new jail" by most in the county, the facility has been operating for about 3,650 days.

"And being open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a jail's age is calculated in a similar manner as dog years," said Lt. Duane Engelhardt, who commands the jail. "It's only in such good condition due to our grounds and maintenance division. Also our officers maintain a pride of ownership and work very hard to hold inmates accountable. Many inmates don't even take care of their own property. We work very hard to install the best possible ethics."

Though now a decade old, the facility on John Conley Drive is light years away from the old jail on Genesee Street that opened in 1961. That facility, located next to the Lapeer County Animal Control, was torn down.

"It could only house 36 inmates, and in the 1960s, we had a population of 43,000," Kalanquin said. "We had problems with security. For 15 years prior to the new building, we had to participate in early release programs because of overcrowding. With a 123 cap, we don't have to do that now."

Problems such as escape, injuries, inmate violence and suicide were intensified at the inadequate building.

"There were six or seven escapes in the old place," Kalanquin said. "Two guys took off while using the outdoor exercise are. One was found hiding behind the Rite Aid store. Two others escaped through the house trailers."

Previously corrections officers faced higher risks and had more physical contact with inmates. One hazardous charge was to escort persons out of their cells to use the telephone. While he was on that duty, one escapee seriously injured then deputy Bob DeTavernier by striking him in the head, said Kalanquin.

The staff was constantly dealing with mold and water in the basement.

"It was frustrating," Kalanquin said. "Grounds and maintenance was here everyday, just trying to keep things working."

The 1960s facility contained eight cells, and corrections officers often had to mix the violent with the more peaceful offenders. The new jail has six general purpose pods holding 12 to 32 people, a maximum security pod that holds nine, and four detoxification cells.

"They have special padding for inmates that are coming off alcohol or drugs," Engelhardt said. "Or for those experiencing high risk problems."

Women are housed in either a minimum and a medium security pod; the medium can be converted to highest safeguard if needed. A special work release pod holds 24.

"There's a separate entrance and exit to cut down on the risk of possible contraband being smuggled in," Engelhardt said. "Inmates are either coming and going to work."

Though safety conditions have improved, corrections officers are always on high alert and are trained to anticipate the unexpected.

"A jail is not like any other facility," Kalanquin said. "People are constantly coming and going. You're never certain how one person will react to another person. The deputies work very hard to maintain their safety record. We almost had two close calls this year, but due to the diligence of the deputies, two lives were saved."