Sherburne County To Lay Off 17 In Sheriff's Office

ELK RIVER, Minn. (AP) -- Sherburne County officials will lay off 17 sheriff's office employees next month.

The county board voted Wednesday to lay off 12 correctional officers, two licensed correctional officers and three part-time staff on Oct. 7.

Like other counties, Sherburne has seen its inmate numbers decline in recent years.

Sherburne County increased its jail security staff in 2006 when the Minnesota Department of Corrections starting allowing the county to double-bunk inmates in the jail.

County Administrator Brian Bensen tells the St. Cloud Times that double-bunking is no longer required and no significant increases in the inmate population are expected in the foreseeable future.

He says the layoffs are expected to save the county $1.85 million.

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