Kent County Reconsiders Future of Detention Center Operations

The Kent County Commissioners’ earlier decision to transition inmates out of the Kent County Detention Center will be revisited after county officials gather updated financial and operational data. MyEasternShoreMD.com reports on Aug. 19, the commissioners voted 2–1 to move toward housing all inmates in neighboring counties beginning next fiscal year. Commissioners John Price and Albert Nickerson supported the motion; Commission President Ron Fithian opposed it. As part of that transition plan, the sheriff’s office budgeted to house 10 to 12 inmates in another jurisdiction this fiscal year to evaluate how the model works. The sheriff’s office began transporting inmates in late July, and since then has housed nine to 12 inmates at the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center. An agreement with Talbot County is expected to be finalized, after which a small group of inmates will also be placed there.