Richland County names interim Director of Detention Center
March 27, 2017
Richland County tapped the former assistant director of the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center to serve as the interim director of the jail while the County conducts a nationwide search for a new leader.
Shane Kitchen, who joined the County last year as the assistant director of the jail, will oversee the facility’s day-to-day operations following the resignation of longtime director Ronaldo Myers. Myers stepped down to run a jail in Virginia. His last official day with Richland County is Friday.
“We are thankful for the excellent leadership of former director Ronaldo Myers,” said Richland County Administrator Gerald Seals. “His 10-year plan, although not implemented, serves as an excellent start-point as we plan for the future. It should not go unnoticed that the detention center has been reaccredited, a testament to the efforts of the detention center leadership and staff.”
The County is using this transition period to conduct an assessment of the facility’s management personnel and the overall environment of the about 400,000-square-foot complex to ensure the new director has a complete understanding of the jail’s services and operations.
“Interim Director Kitchen and his staff have been charged to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the detention center so that much needed improvements are taken off the back burner and brought to the forefront,” Seals said.
The assessment team will evaluate various areas of the facility, such as technology needs, recruitment and retention of staff, emergency preparedness and strategies for addressing habitual offenders and detainees with drug addictions.
“I’m proud to serve as interim director,” said Kitchen, who served as jail administrator at Newberry County Detention Center before coming to Richland County. “With the leadership foundation set forth by Mr. Myers and the experience of our many long-serving officers and staff, I know we will continue the reputable administration of this facility until a permanent director is selected.”
A search committee is reviewing candidates from across the country. County officials want to have a new jail director in place by October.
