The Daggett County Commission is working closely with the Governor’s Office and Department of Corrections to rebuild trust in hopes of having state inmates returned to the care of the Daggett County Jail. State inmates were removed from the jail in February. In April, Sheriff Jorgensen resigned and this month charges were filed by the Attorney General’s Office against the former Sheriff and 4 deputies relating to either failing to prevent, knowing about or participating in prisoner abuse. So what can Daggett County do now as the investigation continues? The first step, explains Commissioner Jack Lytle, is seating a new Sheriff and rebuilding that department. “We are trying to move forward to help some of the culture things change,” says Lytle. “…We are in a transition stage now, trying to keep people looking forward.” The loss in revenue is among the strains the current situation is putting on the county. When the jail is at full capacity, the county breaks about even and the jail sitting empty costs the county about $100,000 dollars a month. The county continues to have around 10 positions for the jail that remain on payroll and the general obligation bond on the jail is paid for by taxpayers. The Commission continues to assess how to deal with the loss of revenue and do not yet have answers of how that will be handled. The question becomes for many, how long will the jail sit empty? It will simply depend on how quick the county can provide surety for the state to trust Daggett County and the Sheriff’s Office in particular to do the job and keep the inmates safe and secure. “That is what we have to be accountable to,” explains Lytle. “Significant charges have been filed. We will continue the process right now to get our folks in a place to be constructive, productive and positive about the product we can provide. We need to not only talk the talk but walk the walk.”
