Part of county jail's trustee program halted

MOUNT CLEMENS (AP) — The Macomb County sheriff’s department has eliminated a program for inmates who went out to locations unsupervised by sheriff’s personnel.

The Detroit Free Press reports the move came after a county jail sweep turned up contraband, such as pills, homemade weapons and a cellphone.

The change prompted the county’s animal control to request about $210,000 for three full-time kennel assistants to do the work of two trustees who previously cleaned dog cages, litter
boxes and food and water bowls. They also walked dogs in an enclosed area.

Two trustees at the shelter and two that washed sheriff’s department vehicles are affected

Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said the change does not involve trustees who work inside the jail, such as in the kitchen and cleaning, or those who pick up trash.