Overview
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) was established as an independent state agency as of July 1, 1998 as a result of the abolishment of Worcester County government pursuant to Chapter 48 of the Acts of 1997. Under Section 12 of Chapter 34B of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Sheriff became an employee of the Commonwealth but remained an elected official and retained administrative and operational control of WCSO.
WCSO is responsible for operating the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction in West Boylston. WCSO also has a Civil Process Division in Worcester that executes court orders and serves legal documents.
According to WCSO’s website,
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and the Worcester County House of Correction are responsible for both pre-trial detainees and inmates sentenced to two and a half years or less. . . . The Sheriff is dedicated to the rehabilitation of inmates as well as serving the cities and towns of Worcester County. [The Sheriff] emphasizes the importance of drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education, community service programs, as well as preventative programs.
WCSO has an extensive inmate support network consisting of multiple programs, including evening education classes, health education classes, job training and life skills management programs, parent education classes, and other social and educational programs.
According to WCSO, the office had 603 employees as of June 30, 2018, and an average of 918 inmates during the audit period. For its operations, WCSO stated that it expended $50,426,658 in fiscal year 2017 and $51,170,969 in fiscal year 2018 from its state maintenance appropriation.
| Date published: | March 11, 2019 |
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