Sheriff says hiring overhaul cut jail vacancy to 7% as of April 18, 2025

At the April 18 Budget & Finance meeting, Sheriff Hall told council members the sheriff’s office had overhauled recruitment and retention for jail staff and had reduced the correctional officer vacancy rate to 7% as of 04/18/2025.

The plan matters because corrections makes up the largest share of the sheriff’s budget and staffing levels affect facility safety, supervision and costs. Chief Ruby Joyner told the council the office pursued a “multi‑phased approach” that included a dedicated recruiter, a retention specialist, an accelerated onboarding that pays recruits while they shadow officers, and a tiered pay structure that raises pay as trainees complete the academy and probation. “With the changes to the pay structure, our enhanced recruiting efforts and shadowing opportunities, we have watched our vacancy rate drop to 7% as of 04/18/2025,” Joyner said.

Sheriff Hall and Chief Joyner described specifics the office…