DEMAND 6
TOWARDS DEMOCRACY
Sheriffs Should Not Take Campaign Donations from Jail Contractors
The Issue
Sheriffs are elected officials, but also heads of enormous bureaucracies. Because of their position, sheriffs can head up contracting with security and investigative companies, construction firms, medical services providers, telecom and tech companies, bail bonding companies, and even apparel and uniform manufacturers. Nationwide, sheriffs have received countless dollars in campaign donations from these types of companies. In 2022, we released a report that provides proof of these conflicts of interest. Read it here.
Why It Matters
Historically, sheriffs who have accepted campaign money from jail contractors have changed their criteria in order for those contractors to “win” bids to be a vendor for the jail. This “pay to play” system for vendors is a conflict of interest. Although it is not illegal in most jurisdictions, this practice harms anyone who could be incarcerated in a county jail. For example, a sheriff who received campaign donations from a large construction firm may be more likely to oppose policies that would minimize jail population and more likely to advocate for building bigger and new jails.
What’s Possible
Sheriffs should commit to refusing campaign contributions from past or potential contractors.
Sheriffs should advocate for legislation that prevents candidates from accepting campaign contributions creating conflicts of interest.
How We Get There
Sheriffs who are serious about their commitment to justice and making their communities safer should pledge to reject these conflicts of interest. Sheriff candidates can ask their campaign donors to affirm that neither they, nor any company with which they or their family have any affiliation, currently has or plans to seek contracts with that sheriff’s office. The candidates should also reject any donations from major industries that profit from mass incarceration, including bail bonding companies, construction firms, healthcare companies, and others.
States can enact legislation making certain campaign contributions an official conflict of interest. While a sheriff or candidate for sheriff cannot create those laws themselves, they can act as powerful advocates in the legislature for laws prohibiting “pay to play” campaign contributions.
More Information
Passing anti-corruption legislation is not impossible. For example, in 2023, California Senate Bill 1439 became law. It prohibits parties from contributing $250 or more to local officers while a contract is pending before the officer’s agency and for 12 months after. Parties also must disclose campaign contributions for the 12 months before filing their application. A law like this that applies to sheriffs could have a significant impact on incarceration in the United States.
Partner Highlights
Resources
Organizations Leading the Way
See our campaign pledge, and list of signers, HERE.