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| Lenawee sheriff is sued by Michigan |
| By Toledo Blade |
| Published: 01/12/2004 |
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Lenawee County (Mich.) Sheriff Larry Richardson has known for a while that his jail does not have enough staff to meet state regulations. But without money to hire, the sheriff said there's not much he can do to get his department in compliance. Sheriff Richardson was sued Dec. 22 by the state attorney general's office for inadequate jail staffing. The lawsuit, initiated by the Michigan Department of Corrections, says the sheriff needs five more corrections officers. "We're in the process of building a new jail that will be done no later than October. I'm hoping we can ask for a delay until the new jail is built," Sheriff Richardson said. Staffing has been a contentious issue between the sheriff and the county commissioners, who ordered cuts of 8.2 percent from each county department. Sheriff Richardson said his department can be brought into compliance only if commissioners give him the money necessary to hire more staff. But commissioners said it is impossible to give the sheriff more money during a time when the county is struggling to balance its budget. The commission had planned to hire two correctional officers this year but put those hires on hold. The sheriff said the state proceeded with legal action because the commission backed out on the hires. Commissioners said they hoped to reach an acceptable solution months ago when they authorized the sheriff to relocate five members of his staff of more than 100 to satisfy the state's requirement, Chairman Larry Gould said. Richardson said this would mean moving people off road patrol - a move he is not willing to make. According to the lawsuit, Lenawee County does not meet state requirements because it does not have an officer in the women's area 24 hours a day. Lenawee County Prosecutor Irv Shaw is filling out a response to a questionnaire filed by the state with the lawsuit. Sheriff Richardson said he hopes Mr. Shaw can persuade the state to delay action until the larger jail is finished. |
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