Corrections_Today_July_August_2019_Vol.84_No.4

nEWS & vIEWS

From Jim’s Desk The Sesquicentennial and Silver Jubilee all on the same day in Arlington County

R ecently, it was my honor to be invited by Arlington County, Virginia Sheriff Elizabeth “Beth” Arthur to speak at a ceremony marking the 150 th Anniversary of the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office and the 25 th Anniversary of the construction of the Arlington County Detention Center. “I was there” for the construction of the Arlington Detention Center. During the time a bond referendum was passed, a construction man- agement company was hired, an architectural firm was selected and a construction company began work, I served as the Arlington County Sheriff. Although I was no longer the Sheriff when the facility was opened, I take pride in knowing my home coun- ty houses a facility that is humane, full of programming for residents and has been accredited many times over. Sheriff Arthur and her staff are the “best in the business” and I’m doubly proud of that office. For 25 years,

persons from all over the nation, and indeed all over the world, have visited a direct supervision, high-rise urban jail known for its forward-thinking administration and humane relation- ship with its residents. I was not there when Alexandria County created the sheriff’s office in 1869! In 1920, the county changed its name to Arlington County as to not be confused with the city of Alexan- dria. Arlington’s first sheriff, in 1869, was an African American man who freed himself from slavery at age 20. Throughout the 150 years of its continuing rich and diverse history within that office, our county has seen a sheriff who was very close to the Ku Klux Klan, if not a member himself. We have witnessed a father and son who both served in that elec- tive office. In fact, it was my honor to serve as a deputy sheriff under the son, J. Elwood Clements. Sheriff Cle- ments was far ahead of correctional thinking on the local level, and I was proud to have known him.

During the 150 years, 17 men have served the office. It only took about 140 years to finally elect a woman — far, far too long! But Arlington and the entire country are seeing more and more women serving in that role than ever before. Betty and I enjoyed the celebration at the courthouse and detention center complex. May Arlington’s Sheriff’s Office serve another 150 years. My hope is that someday, Arlington will not need a detention center. As the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson says, “Never ever, ever, give up hope!”

James A. Gondles Jr., CAE ACA Executive Director (See page 48 for more on Arlington County’s 150 th Anniversary Celebration.)

6 — July/August 2019 Corrections Today