The Good Life – January-February 2024

LOCAL HERO | ANDREW FROBIG
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
people who get their GED, or if someone needs treatment,
we can get some of that done while they are in jail rather
than waiting and directing them someplace after. There’s
a lot of opportunity to do more with the people.”
Captain Frobig stated he doesn’t want the jail to become a
default referral source for people who wouldn’t otherwise
be in jail because this occasionally occurs within the
prison system. “I don’t want someone sent to jail just
because they can’t get something in the community, but
if we get someone who has to be in jail because they’re a
public safety risk – let’s reduce the risk that they’re going
to come back.”
The expanded Cass County Jail will have 192 additional
beds on top of the existing 348, three classrooms, and
expanded medical capabilities.
“This one was designed to give us flexibility, and it’s also
going to give us an opportunity to reevaluate how we are
using the rest of the jail to better meet the reality of what
we are dealing with,” Captain Frobig said.
WHAT YOU DO MATTERS
Research has shown that Correctional Officers experience
high stress levels, burnout, and a variety of other mental
health-related consequences as a result of their jobs,
and according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics have
the highest average annual victimization rate of nonfatal
workplace violence. Yet, Captain Frobig said one of the
hardest things he faces is getting his staff to recognize
their overall importance.
“They’re the ones who are doing the heavy lifting on
everything, and I want them to be able to acknowledge
that,” Captain Frobig said.
“We are so often dealing with things that don't go right. It’s
really easy for people to lose sight of how much they are
doing that went well – it's rare when there isn't any sort of
complication.”
“I want people to come and say, ‘You know I did my job,
the job is hard, and it sucks sometimes, but we met our
mission.’ It’s so easy to dwell on the things that were
challenging and emotionally draining. It's hard to get them
to give themselves enough credit to get them to realize
how critical a role they play. If they’re not doing it – who’s
going to?”
As Jail Administrator, Captain Frobig “tries to stay out of
the way” and allows his staff to rely on their training, but
he’s always open to them running ideas by him. However,
most of the time, they’re already doing everything right.
THE GOOD LIFE
For Captain Frobig the Good Life is one of optimistic
simplicity. “I try to keep things as simple and conflict-free
as possible,” he said. “It’s so easy to focus on the negative
things rather than all the good that goes unrecognized.
And, the Good Life is trying to make sure you are making
the world better a little bit at a time. I try to make sure I
learn something every week. I do what the right thing is
rather than the easy thing. And, first, do no harm.” •
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