I have volunteered at the La Plata County Jail recently and want to command the leadership of Sheriff Sean Smith for establishing a different atmosphere from the one I encountered when I last volunteered there through our high school equivalency (GED) work for the Durango Adult Education Center.
Fifteen years ago and prior to the major renovation of the facility, much of the jail was physically unattractive with small, dark, warren-like rooms and spaces. The current facility is a clean, well-lighted place that smells fresh and has an open and humane feel for both staff and inmates.
An even more meaningful change involves the staff. Everyone I’ve met and interacted with has been highly professional and helpful. To a person, the deputies and command staff are friendly and accommodating. I no longer have the sense that having volunteers at the jail is a burden to staff whereas in the past, I often felt that merely being in the building was a hassle for the staff (even when they perhaps had only the safety of my colleagues and me in mind).
I also happened to speak with a deputy at a social gathering in March and that person assured me that the change in leadership goes much deeper than window dressing; staff can speak their minds and make recommendations without fear of a backlash.
The deputy made it clear that the credit goes to the changes that came with the election of Sheriff Smith, and I really appreciate every person’s supportive manner at the jail.
Working there must be challenging every day, and everyone I’ve observed does their work with grace and care.
Stephanie Moran
Durango
