Keybo Taylor, Gwinnett County's new sheriff, has ended the county jail's 287(g) program on his first day on the job, according to a report from CBS46.
The program, which was implemented in 2009 in the county, allows deputies who were trained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to interview people that have been arrested who were not born in the United States, according to the report from CBS46. The deputies were then allowed to determine if the person was in the country legally.
According to a document on the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office website, the daily jail population began decreasing after the program was implemented. ICE also covers the cost of training, as well as travel, housing, meals and administrative supplies during training, according to the document.
Taylor announced he is also dismantling the jail's rapid response team, according to the report from CBS46. The report states Taylor announced he will replace the program and will focus on de-escalation and better training for deputies when it comes to inmates with mental health issues.
Following this announcement, Gwinnett County Commissioner Kirkland Carden commended the move by Taylor.
“Ending Gwinnett’s participation in the 287(g) program and beginning the process of reforming the county’s jail is long overdue and I’m grateful for Sheriff Taylor’s swift action and leadership on this issue," Carden said in a prepared statement in a press release.
Taylor, a Democrat, replaced Republican Butch Conway, who retired after more than two decades as sheriff.
