Middlesex Regional Lockup Bill Passes in Key Committee

BOSTON—Police in Middlesex County may be able to place pre-arraignment detainees in a regional facility controlled by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office.

The bill, which would allow any sheriff in the state to set up a lockup facility, reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security last week, according to an announcement by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. The bill was supported by Sheriff Peter Koutoujian and the Middlesex County Chiefs of Police Association.

“I would like to thank Senator Donnelly, our law enforcement colleagues who advocated for this legislation, and the committee for advancing it to the crucial next stage,” Sheriff Koutoujian said in the announcement. “We believe a regional lockup facility would bring significant benefit to the county because it will allow corrections officers – specifically trained to work in a jail setting – to ensure the custody of detainees.”

Under the bill, local police departments would be able to transfer the responsibility and care of the detainees to the Sheriff’s Office. Many police departments struggle to properly housed individuals before arraignment, particularly those arrested over the weekends.

“Middlesex Regional Lockup is a win-win for everyone in the community. This will build trust and improve safety while freeing up municipal police resources, which are often stretched,” said Arlington Police Chief Fred Ryan in the announcement. “I very much appreciate the leadership shown by Senator Donnelly and Sheriff Koutoujian on this important public safety issue.”