Washington County Sheriff Mark Warden cuts the ribbon at the Washington County Jail in honor of the start of the I.G.N.I.T.E. program June 2025. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

MARIETTA – Collaboration was the focus of Thursday’s Washington County Commissioner meeting with multiple entities within the county coming together for the same goals.

The commissioners approved a contract that would add a social worker and investigator to the office and would assist with the county’s needs.

Commissioner Charlie Schilling said the contract would begin in January 2027 and add $30,000 in expenditures.

“It’s something that we take very seriously when it comes to expenditure of county funds,” he said. “We want to make sure that we realize the value of these things before agreeing to any kind of contract.”

Washington County Public Defender Ray Smith was present at the meeting to discuss the details of the contract. He said after reaching out to the commissioners and discussed the plan with the Washington County Sheriff Mark Warden and said it was a “positive meeting.”

“It was very good binding between the agencies and something that we can implement,” said Smith. “I see the need for us (public defender’s office) an investigator and I see the prosecutor’s office in the need for an investigator.”

Smith said after discussions with the commissioners, the sheriff, and prosecutors, he saw there was a need for this position so each office could ensure their work was done efficiently.

Assistant Prosecutor Joe Durkin said their office is in need of an investigator to “bridge some of the investigations and help the law enforcement agencies and the prosecutor’s office.”

The social worker would then help those who have been incarcerated with their next steps. Warden said this was a great way to not only act quickly during investigations but help those with drug problems get help and stay out of jail.

Warden spoke about the various programs and aftercare treatments the sheriff’s department has in place to prevent recidivism.

He said treatment and aftercare programs are in place as a way to prevent those incarcerated from returning to crime.

Smith said the court can order for offenders to receive aftercare treatment or enroll in programs.

Warden provided an example of a county in Michigan that implemented the I.G.N.I.T.E. program for jail inmates and it reduced recidivism in the area by 23 percent.

“If you do that in a facility of 124 inmates you’re making an impact and you’re helping the community and you’re changing lives,” said Warden. “When the community comes together … it’s changing lives and it’s good stuff.”

Warden said this is made possible through collaboration with the public defenders, prosecutors, and sheriff’s department.

During the conversation, there were members of the public who spoke up to ask questions about these programs and how the contract would benefit the community.

Warden said once the state sees just how impactful the programs at the jail are, he said the state would hopefully start directing more and more money towards it.

“It takes a community,” he said.

Schilling said there can be a lot to take into consideration with a contract like this because although expenditures increase, there are community benefits.

“When it comes to unfunded mandates, it’s something that’s very hard for us to deal with,” he said.

Smith said the benefit of the contracted positions would also extend to the court system because it would save some time and money by having additional assistance.

Schilling said with the contract beginning Jan. 1, it allows time for all involved entities to ensure the investment would “make sense.”

Commissioner Greg Nohe said, “collaboration is the key to success in anything that you do and collaborating with the prosecutors, the public defenders, and law enforcement agencies will be successful to this community.”

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com