Sheriff Todd Combs said in a Facebook post that he was unable to maintain staff schedules to ensure a safe environment for current inmates and staff.
Yuma County, Colorado — Wednesday morning, Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) posted a message From Sheriff Todd Combs.
“Due to staffing shortages, we have decided to suspend full-time operations at the Yuma County Jail,” read part of the message. “At this time, we are unable to maintain staff schedules that allow for a safe environment for inmates and staff.”
The Post added that the office has sent county inmates to another county jail to house them and is currently in negotiations with other counties to provide services.
“The sheriff’s office will transfer inmates to another prison when they are booked to appear in court and after being arrested in the county,” the post reads. It will be done in a few weeks.”
9NEWS was able to reach Combs by phone on Wednesday. He could not yet share details of where the inmates would be sent, but he did provide details on how the current staffing levels are structured.
According to Combs, to operate prison There are 11 positions to be filled 24/7, but at the moment he estimates that he will have about five positions filled by next year.
Several factors contribute to the shortage, Combs said. Some have found other job opportunities, but the main problem he points out is the starting salary, which he described as $16 an hour.
Yuma County Commission approve the budget to the sheriff’s office. When 9NEWS contacted the office by phone on Wednesday, a staff member said the commissioner had not commented on the matter.
In 2018, 9NEWS reported that the YCSO had “significantly” scaled back its prison operations due to understaffing.
Chad Day, the sheriff of Yuma County at the time, said he had no plans to hire more sheriffs and would leave the hiring of new sheriffs to his successor, Combs.
Inmates under this particular circumstance were transferred to neighboring Washington County.
Combs said his next steps include discussing the issue with the commissioner.
In the meantime, those interested in working at the prison can contact the sheriff’s office, Combs said.
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