New chief hired for troubled Osceola Jail

Osceola County finally has a new director for its jail.

Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, county commissioners voted to hire Sherry Johnson.

The jail has been without a permanent director since March. The previous chief resigned after two inmates escaped.

Johnson's first day is expected to be Sept. 11. At that time, she'll take over duties from the interim jail director who has been filling in for the past six months.

Johnson did not speak with News 13 or the board after this decision was made. She sat quietly as commissioners discussed hiring her.

Ultimately, commissioners said it came down to experience and her devotion to getting the jail back on track.

"With all the trouble we've had, someone who can be an authoritative person and get morale up amongst the employees and make sure the problems we had this past year don't happen again, then I’m in support of her," said Commission Chairman Fred Hawkins, Jr.

Hawkins, Jr. said the one question she really excelled at in the interview process was how do we make sure the mistakes we made last year never happen again.

Johnson is currently third in command at the Orange County Jail and has 24 years of experience working in the corrections field.

Johnson will not be under contract. 

Her starting salary will approximately $120,000 a year, which is slightly less than what the previous director and interim director made.