County sheriffs in Massachusetts have developed a patchwork of policies for housing people arrested after courts close, until they can appear before a judge. The Light’s data reveal stark differences in refusal rates, costs and facility use across the Commonwealth.
Refusal rates highlight disparities
From January through July, Plymouth County refused the highest share of requests, turning away 30 arrestees – about 12% of its total. Suffolk County refused the largest number overall, rejecting 164 individuals, roughly 7.6% of its requests. Bristol County’s refusal rate sits at about 6%, with 79 denials, placing it third in the state.
Counties that accept all requests
In contrast, Hampden County accepted every one of the 1,684 pre‑arraignment detainees it received, though it temporarily suspended weekend intake for more than a month because of staffing and budget pressures. Hampshire County also reported no refusals, processing 561 detainees in the same period at its dedicated Hampshire Regional Police Lockup in Northampton.
Facilities and funding differ
Some counties operate stand‑alone lockup facilities. Hampshire County’s 24‑cell lockup, opened in 2002, is attached to the county house of correction and allows medical staff to evaluate detainees. Barnstable County uses its existing correctional facility in Bourne for regional detainees, while Worcester and other counties rely on existing jail space.
Funding models vary as well. Bristol County charges a nightly fee to municipalities, whereas Hampshire, Barnstable and Worcester cover housing costs themselves. These financial arrangements affect how much local police must spend on guarding detainees when sheriffs refuse admission.
Impact on police resources
When sheriffs refuse detainees, local police departments often must guard individuals at hospitals or police stations, diverting officers from patrol duties. Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux noted that refusals have become a source of tension with police chiefs, especially after the Ash Street Jail in New Bedford recorded 135 medical‑ and mental‑health‑related refusals in 2025, up from 32 in 2022.
Hampden County’s suspension of weekend intake saved an estimated $30,000 per week in overtime and back‑fill costs for hospital transports, according to spokesperson Robert Rizzuto. He warned that the savings could compound significantly if applied across the Commonwealth’s 13 county jails.
Sheriffs cite discretion and resources
Sheriffs stress that state law does not obligate them to hold detainees arrested by local police. Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane said, “The law is clear… but we also have an ethical responsibility to care for people in custody.” Bristol County Sheriff Heroux added, “We have a duty first to the inmates that the judges and the courts send to us, not to the police.”
Staffing shortages, budget constraints and facility design also influence decisions. The 138‑year‑old Ash Street Jail, for example, has fewer than 15 officers on weekend night shifts, making close monitoring of detainees with medical or suicide‑risk concerns difficult.
Looking ahead
County officials continue to negotiate agreements with municipalities to balance public‑safety needs, fiscal responsibility and humane treatment of detainees. As more data emerge, the Commonwealth may consider standardizing practices to reduce the burden on local police and ensure consistent, constitutional care for all pre‑arraignment detainees.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
