sheriffs Archives

To End Solitary Confinement, Advocates Turn Up the Pressure on Sheriffs

Sheriffs who run county jails bear responsibility for placing people in torturous isolation.

Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg Jun 30, 2021

How Sheriffs Are Extracting Wealth from People in Jail

Through fees and forced labor, sheriffs typically exacerbate the financial costs of incarceration, but they could also mitigate them.

Katie Jane Fernelius Jun 30, 2021

Let Civilians Run for Sheriff Again, New California Bill Proposes

The measure may pave the way for more sheriff candidates who want to challenge mass incarceration, but are currently banned from running.

Katie Jane Fernelius Feb 01, 2021

In 2021, Don’t Sleep on Criminal Justice Elections

DA, sheriff, and mayoral elections will present new openings to upend mass incarceration, from Manhattan and Philadelphia down to Virginia.

Daniel Nichanian Jan 19, 2021

How Immigrant Communities Beat Back ICE and Helped Flip Georgia

Now these organizers are tackling the January runoffs for the U.S. Senate.

Sonam Vashi Dec 10, 2020

Your Guide to 30 Sheriff and Prosecutor Elections That Could Challenge Mass Incarceration

These are the key local elections where criminal justice reform is on the line next month, around the country.

Daniel Nichanian Oct 19, 2020

Will Texas Democrats’ Gains Topple a Trumpian Sheriff?

Jail deaths and ICE cooperation have defined the first term of Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn, who faces a tough challenge in next month’s election.

Teresa Mathew Oct 15, 2020

These Twelve Elections Could Curb ICE’s Powers

In many places that have long helped arrest and detain immigrants, voters will decide the fate of local partnerships with ICE, possibly dealing a series of blows to the agency.

Daniel Nichanian Oct 09, 2020

The Sheriff Candidate Who Is Challenging “The Poster Child for the Trump Administration”

Eliseo Santana, running for sheriff in Florida’s Pinellas County, wants to end collaboration with ICE, reduce arrests, and shift some funds toward health services.

Daniel Nichanian Oct 02, 2020

Joe Arpaio’s Longtime Deputy Could Become the Next Sheriff of Maricopa County

Jerry Sheridan, who beat Arpaio in the Republican primary, has been complicit in many of the former sheriff’s worst misdeeds.

Jerry Iannelli Sep 17, 2020

Georgia Sheriff Elections Could Limit ICE’s Reach

In Gwinnett and Cobb counties, sheriff candidates are promising to roll back cooperation with ICE. Advocates say they should cut ties completely, while the federal agency threatens retaliation.

Timothy Pratt Sep 04, 2020

Policing And Ties With ICE On The Menu In Norfolk County’s Sheriff Race

This Massachusetts special election, which starts with next week’s Democratic primary, will shape criminal justice reform prospects in this county—and in state politics.

Daniel Nichanian Aug 25, 2020

“Making Powerful People Feel Uncomfortable Is A Good Thing”: Enter Vermont’s High Bailiffs

Two criminal justice reform advocates, now poised to become high bailiffs, are reimagining this odd office to make the case for civilian oversight on law enforcement.

Daniel Nichanian Aug 18, 2020

When Sheriffs Choose to Help ICE

When people are arrested and booked into a local jail, they often end up on ICE’s radar. Sheriffs are a major reason why.

Jessica Pishko Jun 09, 2020

Cincinnati Voters Oust Sheriff Who Cooperated with ICE and Championed a New Jail

“The solution to the problem of mass incarceration is certainly not more mass incarceration,” said Charmaine McGuffey, who won. In neighboring Greene County, voters rejected a tax increase to build a bigger jail.

Daniel Nichanian Apr 29, 2020

This Tense Sheriff’s Race Could Change Cincinnati’s Poor Jail Conditions

Ohio advocates are resisting proposals to expand the jail and local cooperation with ICE. In the primary on Tuesday, the sheriff and his challenger disagree on both fronts.

Teresa Mathew Mar 12, 2020

On Tuesday, Two Alabama Sheriffs Regained Power to Divert Jail Food Funds

“This incentivizes them once again to underfeed people in their custody if they know the extras can be used on bells and whistles or guns,” warns an Alabama advocate.

Lauren Gill Mar 05, 2020

When a Sheriff’s Jail Is Emptied

New York sheriffs are fighting the state’s cuts to pretrial detention. But bail reform can push sheriffs to embrace shrinking jails.

Jessica Pishko Jan 24, 2020

How Sheriffs’ Power and Autonomy Make Them Central Players for Policing Reform

Our ongoing series on the role of sheriffs turns to a site of heated political battles: policing powers.

Jessica Pishko Sep 26, 2019

The Opioid Crisis and the Elected Sheriff

Sheriffs often control access to treatment in jail and shape law enforcement attitudes toward the opioid crisis. What are their roles?

Jessica Pishko May 09, 2019

Jail Deaths and the Elected Sheriff

Jail deaths happen with alarming regularity. The Badge probes the responsibility of sheriffs.

Jessica Pishko Mar 21, 2019

Jacksonville Kicks Off 2019’s Sheriff Elections

With the election looking on March 19, the Political Report reviews some of the stakes on policing practices, immigration, and transparency.

Daniel Nichanian Mar 14, 2019

Jacksonville Votes for Its Sheriff: An Interview with Candidate Tony Cummings

Tony Cummings, running for sheriff in Jacksonville’s March elections, lays out views on police accountability, civilian review boards, immigration.

Daniel Nichanian Jan 31, 2019

3 Maryland Counties Are In ICE’s 287(g) Program. How Many After November?

3 Maryland counties are in ICE’s 287(g) program. How many after November?

Daniel Nichanian Oct 11, 2018

2018 Election Preview: Sheriff of Wake County, North Carolina

Wake County sheriff race struggles for media visibility, with 287(g) at stake

Daniel Nichanian Oct 10, 2018

Will Orange County Keep Circumventing California's ‘Sanctuary’ Law?

Will Orange County continue circumventing California’s ‘sanctuary state’ law?

Daniel Nichanian Oct 10, 2018

Photo illustration of downtown New Orleans

Sheriff Race in Doña Ana, New Mexico Puts Spotlight on Operation Stonegarden

This article is part of the Political Report’s coverage of criminal justice in the 2018 elections.

Daniel Nichanian Oct 04, 2018

Bergen County Sheriff Resigns After Racist Remarks. What’s Next in New Jersey?

Bergen County sheriff resigns after racist remarks. What’s next in New Jersey?

Daniel Nichanian Sep 27, 2018

2018 Election Preview: Sheriff of Ulster County, New York

Election for Ulster County sheriff fought over over immigration, opoids.

Daniel Nichanian Sep 20, 2018

Spotlight on the Flagler County Sheriff and His Boastful Statements

Flagler County expanded its county jail in July 2016, more than tripling the number of people it could detain. Later that year, the county elected a new sheriff—Rick Staly—who has since boasted about the record number of individuals in the jail and about the poor conditions therein. Staly has unveiled signs labeling the jail the “Green Roof […]

Aug 23, 2018

Milwaukee Votes for Sheriff after David Clarke’s Lengthy Tenure

Daniel Nichanian Seven people died in the Milwaukee County Jail under Sheriff David Clarke’s tenure. One man died in 2016 after being denied water for seven days, and a criminal complaint later described “an institutional practice of punitively shutting off water to unruly inmates.” Clarke was also known nationally for harsh policies toward immigrants, disparaging comments toward Black Lives Matter, and […]

Daniel Nichanian Aug 09, 2018

2018 Election Preview: Wisconsin's Immigration Protests Do Not Structure Sheriff Elections

Daniel Nichanian The Wisconsin counties that are cooperating closely with ICE have drawn protests from immigrants’ rights activists, but the issue is not resonating in the sheriff elections they are holding this year. In fact, Sheriff Eric Severson is running unopposed in Waukesha County (a populous and conservative county in the Milwaukee suburbs). In 2017, […]