FRANKLIN COUNTY, Wash. – The Franklin County Board of Commissioners has taken control of the county jail from the Sheriff’s Office, establishing a new Department of Corrections. This decision followed concerns raised by a state audit report released earlier this month, which claimed the Sheriff’s Department mismanaged jail operation funds.
Sheriff Raymond has denied these allegations, stating his office is not responsible for tracking that money. Sheriff Raymond expressed his discontent with the decision, stating, “Just because you don’t like the sheriff doesn’t mean that you get to seize control of his constitutional duties and the laws.”
The resolution to create a new Department of Corrections was passed yesterday, raising questions about the future of the ~50 Sheriff’s Office employees currently running the jail.
Sheriff Raymond assured, “They’re not losing their jobs. No, no, I’m sure the county is going to as soon as I process personnel, action forms, etc., etc. are going to reappoint them as the Department of Corrections employees.”
While the employees will have a new boss, the issue of weapons carried by corrections officers remains unresolved. Sheriff Raymond addressed the matter, saying, “They’re trying to get a judge to order me to hand over property that they believe is property of the county, like firearms and commission cards and all those type of things. And they’re just wrong. It’s not going to happen. The sheriff will maintain control of all of our weapons.”
Despite the ongoing disagreements, Sheriff Raymond reassured that there are contingency plans in place to address any threats to public safety. He emphasized, “We have plans in place. Always have had plans in place. And corrections personnel are not part of those plans.”
Sheriff Raymond mentioned that he still hasn’t heard from the Board of Commissioners to resolve the questions surrounding the jail. NonStop Local also reached out to the Commissioner’s Office for comment but has not received a response.
