Sheriff reports jail overcrowding and operations; commissioners authorize immediate jail tour

Sheriff Ray Thomas told the Delaware County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 30 that his office handled tens of thousands of calls and is working to address jail overcrowding and equipment needs.

Thomas said his office recorded 22,965 calls this year that resulted in 804 arrests and 859 warrants, and that 1,387 people were processed through the county jail this year, 157 of whom were tribal. He told the board the sheriff’s office has spent amounts recorded in the clerk’s report for patrol updates (the record shows $198,667.91 with $9,941.17 for investigation supplies) and about $88,671.51 on jail improvements including safety, laundry and clothing. “I am very transparent,” Thomas said, describing the changes he has made since taking office and outlining needs for vehicles and an expanded canine program.

Thomas said the jail was built for 61 inmates but typically holds 75–85 people on any given day and has been cited for overcrowding and missed required hourly jail checks in the past; he asked the board to conduct quarterly walk-throughs and to permit public tours to increase transparency. Resident Rocky Carroll urged the commissioners during public comment that the jail tour was “important to do.”

After discussion, the board voted to tour the jail immediately. The commissioners, the commissioners’ assistant and two residents toured the facility and then returned to the meeting room. The action was taken by motion; Commissioners Poindexter and Beck recorded yes votes. The meeting adjourned at 9:52 a.m.

The remarks in this article reflect figures and statements as reported aloud at the Dec. 30 meeting and recorded in the clerk’s minutes; amounts and counts are those cited by the sheriff to the commissioners.