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Newton County approves eight detention officer positions after sheriff's staffing and budget presentation
Summary
After a fiscal overview showing growing inmate-related costs, the Newton County Board of Commissioners approved a request from Sheriff Ezell Brown to allocate eight additional detention officer positions to address staffing shortfalls and reduce mandatory overtime.
Sheriff Ezell Brown asked the Newton County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 6 to allocate eight new detention officer positions to address chronic staffing shortages at the county jail, and the board voted to approve the request.
The sheriff opened the request with a historical and safety-focused explanation, recounting layoffs in 2010 and an increase in inmate population since the facility opened. "We are more than 50 officers short for safety and security of the jail," Brown said, arguing the shortfall has forced mandatory overtime and strains staff and inmate safety.
The county's…
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