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.