“Since January of 2018, we have lost sixteen employees from the jail, of which eight stated in their exit interviews that they wouldn’t have left if it were for just a little bit more money,” explained Freestone County Sheriff Jeremy Shipley.
In light of the recent depopulation of the Freestone County Jail, County Commissioners discussed the possibility of raising jailers’ salary from $26,400 to $30,160 per year during the Wednesday, April 10, 2019 meeting.
“I think we need to start looking at this jail as a place for a career, instead of just a starting point; instead of spending our money and time to train them, just for them to leave to go somewhere with better pay,” Sheriff Shipley continued. “On average, we lose one jailer every forty-three days. That’s horrible!”
He went on to explain that he received three resignations within one week, leaving the jail short staffed and unable to maintain an inmate population safely.
“Because of these safety concerns, Jail Standards Commission didn’t give me a choice,” he concluded.
According to District/County Attorney Brian Evans, a Sheriff has the power to depopulate a jail at any time at his discretion, without approval of County Commissioners, whether or not the jail is fully staffed.
“I feel our Sheriff depopulated the jail only when it became a safety issue for his employees,” says DA Evans.
During the meeting, Commissioners questioned the Sheriff about why he has not advertised anywhere other than on social media since 2017.
Sheriff Shipley explained that he felt he reached far more people using Facebook than by advertising in local newspapers.
Commissioners Pct. 3 – Mike Daniels and Pct. 4 – Clyde Ridge verbally reprimanded the Sheriff for not following County policy that states advertising in the local newspaper is required. They told him that this should be his first step in trying to fill the empty positions.
The Sheriff explained that they had five applications on file. Of those five, three were immediately disqualified for various reasons; one applicant was unable to be reached; and the last was interviewed and is awaiting background check results.
“Budget time is right around the corner. We only have so much money in our budget,” stated Commissioner Pct. 1 – Andy Bonner.
“But our jail is depopulated TODAY!”Commissioner Daniels argued. “The budget is too far away. We have to do something before then.”
Sheriff Shipley spoke to Commissioner Bonner, “I mean no disrespect Andy, but I guess my response to that is, what are your guys making?”
To which Commissioner Bonner replied, “Mine make $40K.”
“Yep! We found money to pay your guys what you thought they deserved,” rebutted the Sheriff. “We need the money to entice the people in; and to look at longevity as well, keeping them here.”
Commissioner Daniels concluded by saying, “Me personally, looking at where we are right now and the impact it is having on the other entities, I think we should do at least the $30,000. We are at a place where we have to make something happen to get some jailers in there to take the weight off of all of the different entities being affected.”
Ultimately, no motion was made. Commissioners agreed to table this item until the April 17th meeting.
Additionally, with inmates being transported to Limestone County prior to being magistrated by a local Justice of the Peace, there is the question of whether it is legal for an arrested person to be transported out of County before being magistrated.
Plans now are for the four JP Judges to magistrate via video conference with the Limestone County Jail.
“I don’t see anything where you can’t take an arrested person out of the county beforehand,” said DA Evans.
According to DA Evans, per Article 15.17 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, it specifically states that magistration via video is acceptable.
For a blow-by-blow of the conversation had during this meeting, visit www.co.freestone.tx.us (under Commissioners Court) or YouTube (search Linda Jarvis).
