Control over the Barnwell County Detention Center could change if Barnwell County Council grants a request by the sheriff.
Currently, the jail is run by an administrator, Deloris Charlton, who reports to council. Barnwell County Sheriff Ed Carroll is seeking to gain "custody and control" over the BCDC from the county, according to an ordinance which council was scheduled to discuss during their regular Jan. 8 meeting.
Administrative duties and responsibilities of the jail were turned over to Barnwell County Council by a previous sheriff on March 15, 1982.
When asked about his request, Carroll said he did not wish to comment until after the council meeting, which was after press time.
According to council's agenda, they were scheduled to discuss an intergovernmental agreement for transfer of detention center responsibilities followed by the first reading of an ordinance to amend Ordinance 1982-14 (transfer of jail responsibilities to the sheriff).
"The parties hereby agree that the sheriff shall immediately resume all of the powers and duties relating to the custody of the Barnwell County Detention Center and appointment of the jailor," stated the intergovernmental agreement.
If the sheriff determines "it is in the best interest of justice" to return responsibilities to the county, the ordinance provides for that through the approval of a resolution and intergovernmental agreement.
The People-Sentinel will have more details in our Jan. 16 edition.