Layoffs of 80 jail deputies blocked BY MELANIE D. SCOTT FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER October 25,

Temporary Restraining Order Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans obtained a temporary restraining order Friday blocking the layoffs of about 80 county jail deputies. Evans said he requested the order because the layoffs would have forced the Sheriff's Office to release hundreds of people charged with felonies who are awaiting trials. Such a move would place the office in violation of a 2005 Wayne County Circuit Court order that mandates staffing levels at the jail.

Scheduled for Midnight Sunday The layoffs were scheduled to go into effect at midnight Sunday. Wayne County Circuit Judge Isidore Torres issued the temporary restraining order. "I cannot, in clear conscience, compromise the safety of the public and violate a court order," Evans said in a written statement. "Wayne County already has fewer jail beds than every comparably sized county in the country." Last month, the Wayne County Commission adopted a budget that cut 10% from the sheriff's budget. A hearing to discuss the layoffs is scheduled for Tuesday before Wayne County Circuit Judge Michael Sapala at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward, Detroit.

Economics What would be the efficient level? Why? $ Number of Prisoners MC MB What determines “mandated” levels? Is it economics? MC?