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Sheriff reports inmate population easing, medical contract held at LPN rate and clarifies ICE detainer policy
Summary
At the July 16 meeting the sheriff said inmate population has fallen to 65 and 'farm outs' dropped to four, the jail will continue the LPN medical contract for one more year rather than move to RN rates, the office has one new deputy and the sheriff clarified the county's limited role with ICE detainers.
The Franklin County sheriff updated the Board of Commissioners on July 16 on jail population, staffing and the county’s contract posture with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The sheriff reported the county’s inmate count has declined to 65 (previously near 90) and that the number of inmates transferred to other jurisdictions (“farm outs”) has fallen to four. The sheriff said the downward trend has eased pressure on jail capacity and that staff are returning from prior shortages.
On medical services, the sheriff said the county will remain at the licensed practical nurse (LPN) rate for the jail’s medical contract for one more year; moving to an RN rate would have significantly increased costs, staff said. The sheriff said he will review final numbers with county finance staff.
The sheriff also clarified the county’s relationship with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He said Franklin County is listed on ICE’s website as having a contract but that the county does not proactively seek or detain immigration cases in the community. The contract, he said, provides that when someone is in the county jail and ICE has a warrant, the sheriff’s office will notify ICE and honor appropriate paperwork; ICE must provide the warrant supporting any detainer and has 48 hours to pick up the individual, otherwise the county releases the person unless they remain in custody on county charges.
The sheriff said the office hired a new deputy, Owen Wells, and reported near-full staffing for deputies and jail operations; he said two additional applicants remain in process for clerical positions. The sheriff emphasized the staffing status as a positive sign for county operations.
Commissioners received the updates; no formal action or policy change on ICE or the jail contract was taken at the July 16 meeting.
