Attorney General Opinion No.

Sandra L. Jacquot Shawnee County Counselor Shawnee County Courthouse 200 S.E. 7th Street, Suite 100 Topeka, Kansas 66603-3932

Dear Ms. Jacquot:

You have requested an opinion concerning whether the formation of the Shawnee County Department of Corrections was legally appropriate and whether the Sheriff is liable for any negligent or wrongful acts that may arise out of the operation of the county jail.

In 1981, the Board of Shawnee County Commissioners transferred the operation of the county jail from the Shawnee County Sheriff to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections pursuant to K.S.A.…