By Kirk McCracken
CLAREMORE — Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton takes full responsibility after an inmate was mistakenly released from jail.
Walton tells KRMG that he makes no excuses for the release of the wrong inmate but says staffing issues did play a part. The inmate in question had information that was similar to that of an inmate who was set to be released.
“The obligations we have far exceed the staffing levels that we have,” Walton said.
Less than 30 minutes later, the mistake was realized by a jailer, and the inmate was apprehended a few blocks away from the jail. Walton says they are short-staffed in several departments, and funding is an issue. Their funding comes from the county commissioners.
“We’re severely understaffed. We’ve got half enough detention officers, half enough patrol officers, half enough investigators,” Walton said.
Walton says being a jailer is a tough job, and it’s a job most people would walk away from due to the sights and smells involved.
