County Jail Director Receives Honors for Innovative Safety Programs

Chris Sharp recognized by the National Institute of Correctional Operations

information released, photo: Director Chris Sharp (left) received the award last month at a conference in Chandler, Arizona.

Chris Sharp, director of Chelan County Regional Justice Center, was recently honored by the National Institute of Correctional Operations (NIJO) with the Dedication to Excellence Award.

Sharp, who has worked for the county for 24 years, was appointed director by the Board of County Commissioners in April 2020. He received the award June 12 in Chandler, Arizona, during JailCon West. awards ceremony.

NIJO honored Sharp for the programs and policies it has implemented to keep inmates and staff safe. These include a drug interception program that includes a full-body scanner, a mail scanner, and a drug-sniffing dog. Sharp also recently initiated work to install 12 medical sensors in individual cells that monitor breathing and heart rate, alerting staff to sudden fluctuations.

As a director, Sharp increased the number of nurses to provide 24-hour care and ensured the health and well-being of his staff and those for whom he was responsible.

“Director Sharp and his medical team are among the first in the state to implement this type of medical monitoring,” reads NIJO’s medical sensor press release. “Dedicated to reducing the risk of harm to the prison population.”