HCSO paying thousands to send inmates away, jail staffing concerns spike

Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is understaffed at the detention center despite adding deputies, leading to the transfer of 45 inmates to other jails at a daily cost of $2,700. A staffing report recommends increasing detention deputies from 265 to 318 to address safety and operational issues. Sheriff Dawanna Witt and Commissioner Jeff Lunde emphasize the need for funding and action to resolve the staffing crisis.