Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office forgives over $500,000 in jail debt
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Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton. (Credit: Washtenaw County Sheriff s Office)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office announced that it has forgiven $509,888 of outstanding debt incurred by 31,614 individuals while at Washtenaw County Jail.
Debt is taken on when those incarcerated cannot afford to buy personal items from a commissionary, pay booking fees or pay for medical and dental services, among other things.
The decision, made by Sheriff Jerry Clayton and supported by the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, affects community members incarcerated between January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2020.
“Our decision to eliminate this debt reflects our understanding of the stress and financial burden of incarceration,” said Clayton through a release.