Ocean County will not consider merging its Corrections and Sheriff's Departments any time soon, despite claims by longtime retiring Jail Warden Theodore J. Hutler Jr. that it could save taxpayers $Two-million-dollars, according to County Administrator Carl Block. 

Ocean County Jail, O-C DOC Web page
Ocean County Jail, O-C DOC Web page
loading...

Hutler, the longest tenured County Jail Warden in New Jersey history, wrote an open letter to Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, dated November 24th, expressing his opinion.

The letter also comes on the heels of Hutler's dissatisfaction with the Freeholder Board's choice to name Sandra Mueller as his replacement on January 1. Mueller is a member of Hutler's senior staff, but she is not a sworn law enforcement officer.

Block said a consultant's review of the departments in 2012 speaks for itself. The report concluded not going through with a merger.

"Although there were some areas that might save some money, the areas that would cost more money would be on balance and not a good economic move at this time," said Block.

A Sheriff's Officer and a Corrections Officer legally are not interchangeable, unless they're each trained in both areas.

"Which obviously, takes a lot of time and money," Block pointed out, also noting eliminating the position of the Warden would still require the addition of an Undersheriff. "So you're swapping people, if you will," he said.

Another issue involves a requirement where a specific number of posts in a facility must be filled, which according to Block, wouldn't shrink the number of officers in the jail.

First-year Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy is still reorganizing his department and Block said the Sheriff would not consider a merger at this time either due to staffing shortages.

"You couldn't even consider this until you have both departments at full strength. Corrections is; the Sheriff's at this point, is not," said Block.

Block noted that when the new Warden Mueller takes office, she and Sheriff Mastronardy will discuss the issue.

"They'll review any avenue where they may be able to effectuate any savings if possible," he added.

 

 

 

 

 

More From 92.7 WOBM