Politics & Government

Plymouth Legislators Fight for Funding for Plymouth Jail

Tom Calter, D-Kingston, was among the group that organized an emergency State House meeting to address the issue of the financial deficit associated with the budget deficit at the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department and County Jail.

State Representatives Thomas D. Calter (D-Kingston) and Rhonda Nyman (D-Hanover) organized and chaired an emergency State House meeting on Wednesday to address the issue of the financial deficit associated with the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department and House of Correction FY12 budget.

Representatives Calter and Nyman were joined by other state representatives from Plymouth County, as well as police chiefs from many of the 26 towns in the county.

Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph MacDonald provided an analysis of the Sheriff’s Department and House of Correction FY12 budget, and the consequences related to the lack of funding.

Find out what's happening in Plymouthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sheriff MacDonald stated that each of the 26 Plymouth County towns depend heavily on services provided by the sheriff’s department. MacDonald additionally provided financial data indicating that Plymouth County House of Correction is among the most efficiently managed in the Commonwealth.  

Resulting from the meeting, Representatives Calter and Nyman agreed to present the data to Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and Secretary Jay Gonzalez from Administration and Finance, with a goal of securing funding to assist in the reducing the deficit for the Sheriff’s Department.  Recognizing the sensitive timing, Calter met with Senate President Therese Murray and State Representative Vinny deMacedo of Plymouth; and secured a commitment from the Plymouth delegation to together reinforce the need for immediate funding.

Find out what's happening in Plymouthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The financial data presented by Sheriff MacDonald is indisputable. The Administration asked for and was given authority over the operation of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department and House of Correction. They must now meet the financial obligation that goes with that authority. The Plymouth delegation will continue to work together in addressing this short term financial crisis and search for a long term funding solution so that we are not dealing with this challenge in the future,” said Calter.

Sheriff MacDonald said, “I am grateful to our entire Plymouth County Legislative Delegation for their assistance on this vital public safety issue.  I am especially grateful to Representatives Tom Calter, Rhonda Nyman and Vinny deMacedo for their willingness to assume leadership roles to help resolve a potential public safety crisis, and to preserve vital law enforcement and public safety services in Plymouth County.”


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