287(g) To Become a Reality in Gwinnett

On Tuesday, April 1^st, the Gwinnett County BOC adopted a resolution providing the funding necessary to implement the 287(g) program in the county jail.  This is a huge step for our county.  I appreciate all the e-mails of support I have received along the way fighting to implement this program.

It has been a long battle, but in the end, as with most things, the struggle was worth it.  To share just a bit, the struggle has been going on for over a year and has taken many steps and forms along the way.  Over a year ago, Sheriff Conway came to several commissioners to discuss the difficulty he was having in hiring deputies to guard inmates at the jail.  His belief was that this was due to the low pay.  In his estimation, if the Commission raised the pay he would be able to hire the appropriate quantity – and caliber – of personnel to fully open the jail and relieve overcrowding.   

Along about this same time, we began to hear of the 287(g) program.  I asked the Sheriff about this program.  He indicated that yes, he knew about the program, but was not able to implement the program based on his present staffing conditions.  One of the requirements of the program is that there be no overcrowded conditions in the jail (Explains why more Sheriffs haven’t joined the program!).  Instead, the Sheriff was having to rely on the two ICE deputies assigned to the jail as part of the CAP program.  In the Sheriff’s estimation, these two agents were the best he could do under the circumstances, until the Commission provided the funds to reduce the overcrowded conditions.

So, the decision came down to the Board of Commissioners – Were we willing to provide the funding to hire enough deputies and also fund the program? 

The first step came on January 2, 2008, when I made a motion to amend the County budget to increase the pay for the Sheriff’s deputies.  After much debate, the pay was increased.  As a direct result of this pay increase, the Sheriff’s department has finally been able to hire the number and caliber of deputy required to meet Gwinnett County standards and begin to eliminate the overcrowded conditions.

The second step occurred on April 1^st.  After one hour of debate – the most since I’ve been on the BOC – my resolution to fund the program was approved.   The debate was centered around the type of approach we should take towards implementing the program – slow and piecemeal; or as quickly as possible with a total commitment.   I am appreciative to my fellow commissioners for realizing that it was long past time to talk about this program – it was time to act. 

Following our vote, I joked with our DOT director that I wanted new signs up on I-85 at the County line.  They should read: “Gwinnett County – A 287(g) Community – We Deport Criminals”. 

You know, that shouldn’t have been a joke – it should be a reality.  And it will be.

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