You don't have to have a loved one in jail to care how it's run. The Volusia County jail is funded by taxpayers and plays a critical role in public safety. We all have a stake in making sure it is staffed, managed, and funded effectively.

For years, corrections officers and jail staff have worked under difficult conditions while providing an essential service to our community. Recruiting and retaining qualified employees remains a challenge, and staffing shortages can affect both employees and the people entrusted to the jail's care. The people who work there deserve competitive pay, affordable benefits, and the resources needed to do their jobs safely.

We are asking the Volusia County Council to work with Sheriff Mike Chitwood to transfer management of the jail to the Sheriff's Office through Florida's legal process. Sheriff Chitwood has repeatedly argued that local agencies are most effective when leaders have clear responsibility for budgets, staffing, and results. At a 2026 budget hearing, he highlighted his ability to recruit new deputies within existing resources and emphasized accountability for those decisions.

The Corrections budget has grown substantially in recent years, increasing from approximately $52 million in FY 2020-21 to more than $77 million in FY 2025-26. Taxpayers deserve confidence that those resources are producing the staffing, safety, facility, and operational improvements the community expects. County records also show that funds generated from earlier Corrections payroll savings were redirected into General Fund transition reserves for other projects rather than remaining within the jail system. While those decisions may have served other county priorities, residents deserve assurance that critical staffing, maintenance, and equipment needs at the jail are being fully funded before resources are used elsewhere.

This petition is not about blaming any individual or agency. It is about ensuring that authority and accountability go hand in hand. If the Sheriff is given responsibility for operating the jail, residents will have a clearer understanding of who is leading day-to-day operations and how staffing, employee retention, workplace conditions, and performance goals are being addressed.

We respectfully ask County Council to meet publicly with the Sheriff and residents to discuss a transition plan, including:

Strategies to recruit and retain qualified corrections employees.
Fair pay, benefits, and working conditions for jail staff.
Transparent evaluation of transition costs and potential efficiencies.
Public reporting on staffing, safety, and operational improvements.
Our community already pays for this jail. Let's ensure it works as effectively as possible for employees, taxpayers, and the people in its care.

Sign this petition to support greater accountability, stronger staffing, and a better future for Volusia County's jail system.