Audit of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office (November 25, 2025)

This is a Massachusetts State Auditor performance audit of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office covering mostly July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024, with a longer lookback for employee settlement agreements.

“In accordance with Section 12 of Chapter 11 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Office of the State Auditor has conducted a performance audit of certain activities of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024.”

Auditors checked whether the sheriff’s office followed rules and its own policies for inmate deaths, healthcare meetings, medical and mental health screenings, sick-call care, and employee settlement agreements.

“The purpose of our audit was to determine the following:”

The main health finding matters because late physical exams can mean inmate medical problems are missed or treated late, which can affect inmates and staff.

“Because HCSO did not ensure that all inmates received physical examinations as part of their initial health assessments within the required timeframe, there is a higher risk that inmates’ medical issues were not identified and treated, ultimately affecting the health and safety of all HCSO inmates and staff members.”

For residents, this report shows whether a publicly funded sheriff’s office is following health and accountability rules while operating correctional facilities.

“In fiscal years 2023 and 2024, HCSO’s annual state appropriation was approximately $94,847,413 and $95,908,708, respectively.”

Auditors found two problems: some required inmate physical exams were late, and the office needed a written settlement-agreement policy; the office said it is taking or has taken steps to fix both.

“Based on its response, HCSO has taken measures to address our concerns regarding this matter.”

The State Auditor says it will check back in about six months on both findings.

“As part of our post-audit review process, we will follow up on this matter in approximately six months.”

Auditors estimated that at least 138 inmates who stayed more than 30 days may not have received their required physical exam on time.

“Based on this calculation, we can project with a 95% confidence level that HCSO did not provide physical examinations as part of initial health assessments to at least 138 inmates committed to HCSO’s facilities for more than 30 days.”

A receiving screening is the first medical check when someone arrives; a QHP is a qualified healthcare professional, such as a nurse, doctor, physician assistant, dentist, or mental health professional.

“According to 103 CMR 932.06, an admission medical screening—which HSCO refers to as a receiving screening—should be performed on each inmate upon their arrival at HCSO’s facilities by a QHP.”