Opn. No.

Requestor: Hon. William G. McMahon, Commissioner N.Y.S. Commission of Correction 60 South Pearl Street Albany, N.Y. 12207

Written by: Robert Abrams, Attorney General

Your office has asked whether New York law permits a county to delegate the operation and administration of the county jail to a private firm.

Under section 500-c of the Correction Law, sheriffs1 have custody of the county jail and are charged with the duty to receive and keep safely every person lawfully committed to their custody. Correction Law § 500-c; Op Atty Gen (Inf) No. 90-66; 1987 Op Atty Gen (Inf) 102; 1980 Op Atty Gen…