Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Franklin County jail to close

Federal immigration detainees will be housed at the Addison County jail in Middlebury when the Franklin County jail closes this week after more than a hundred years of service. Sheriff Robert Norris said the 20-bed jail doesn't meet modern standards for federal detention facilities. The jail lacks the required exercise area and can’t maintain 24-hour medical service for just 20 prisoners. The Sheriff’s Department has housed federal prisoners for about 15 years; most are illegal aliens. There are four full-time detention officers. One has retired and another has applied for a transfer.