Bill seeks to exempt jailers from state standards

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Citing the vast differences in how state prisons and local jails operate, the Missouri Sheriffs Association wants lawmakers to exempt county and municipal jailers from being subject to minimum training standards being developed for workers at correctional facilities.

A Senate committee on Monday considered a bill sponsored by state Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, that would limit the scope of a 2003 law that authorized the creation of a professional certification process for jailers and prison guards. That law, modeled on another Missouri statute, has long set training standards for police officers.

Mick Covington, the interim director of the sheriffs association, told the committee that as the new Corrections Officer Certification Commission began formulating its professional standards, it became apparent Missouri Department of Corrections facilities and local jails are too dissimilar to effectively be lumped together, as the current law requires.

"We just simply don't agree it would be a good fit at this time," Covington said.

There are two major concerns, Covington said. One is that county sheriff's departments and municipal police departments lack the resources the state has to require increased training for workers.

The other involves differences between the inmate populations at state and local facilities. Covington noted that those incarcerated in local jails while awaiting trial enjoy a different level of rights and privileges than convicted felons housed in state prisons. Therefore, Covington said, training for local jailers must have a different focus.

Department of Corrections spokesman John Fougere said the agency is taking no position on Mayer's bill. Covington said sheriffs are committed to developing professional standards geared more specifically to local jailers, although he couldn't say what form those regulations might take.

State Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, presented the bill on behalf of Mayer, who was unable to attend the committee hearing. The Senate Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee will act on the measure at a later date.

The bill is SB 496.

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