Jail Security
The Metro Jail Security Division was created on July 1, 2004 as a way to further ensure safety and security for staff members and the prisoner population. The Division is comprised of two distinct, yet allied, units – the Movement and Critical Incident Response Team (M/CIRT) and the Security Unit. As a Division, we continually strive to maintain one of the most safe, secure, and modern facilities in the nation. As such, our exceptional staff members have received awards and recognition on numerous occasions for their unwavering professionalism and work ethic.
Lt. Trisha Hughes manages the M/CIRT Unit, which consists of six sergeants (Ralph Fisher, Brian Cogburn, Ken Garcia, Mark Naumann, George Tonga, and Bill Leach), 45 sworn correctional officers, and three civilian clerks. M/CIRT officers are responsible for safely transporting prisoners throughout the facility for a variety of reasons. For instance, in 2007, staff members moved 45,228 prisoners from their assigned housing units to the Court Transportation area where they are sent out to local courts in Salt Lake County. 150,700 prisoners were moved within the facility. M/CIRT officers responded to 471 medical emergencies and managed 441 scheduled medical transports. A total of 150,700 prisoners were transported by this unit in one year. In addition to prisoner movement, this team is responsible for conducting both interior and exterior perimeter security checks of both the Oxbow and Metro Jails as well as the exterior of the Sheriff’s Office Administration Building – continuously evaluating potential weaknesses in facility security. Security for prisoners requiring hospitalization at outside medical facilities is managed by this unit. M/CIRT officers are highly trained in prisoner disorder management, forced-cell extraction, and various non-and less-lethal weapons systems in order to provide support for all major disturbances that occur within the jail.
Another faction of the M/CIRT Unit – the Jail Security Threat Officer (JSTO) – is a position specifically designed to focus directly on jail safety and security issues. Officer Jeremy Sharp was the first officer selected to fill this position, and due to the positive impact this position has had in the jail we have expanded to include another member – Officer Brady Johnston. These officers work closely with the Jail Investigator –Sgt. Jason Jones, Law Enforcement Bureau as well as the Metro Gang Unit. Officer Sharp has been the chairperson of the Jail Security Threat Information Committee (JSTIC) since its inception. This committee, which meets twice a month, is made up of both sworn and civilian staff members representing different areas of the jail. It is a way to coordinate and disseminate valuable information in order to significantly improve staff and prisoner safety, and to enhance jail security. A JSTIC Bulletin is published on a regular basis to guarantee all jail staff members are informed about issues involving their safety and security.