Is there a need for a tuneup in the system? I think we all agree on that. However, to point the finger at and summarily attempt to punish all county jails is wrong. Most jails in Utah boast no escapes, ever. Something the Department of Corrections certainly can't do.

Sometimes I admit, those good results might be more luck than good management but, either way, I am more inclined to argue for good management throughout our correctional system, county and state. The program of housing state inmates in county jails has a long and stellar history of safety while saving the citizens of this state millions upon millions of dollars. Those counties that have experienced the recent escapes no doubt need to step up and correct the identified problems. All the rest need to look deep inside at their own operation on an ongoing basis. Mostly, it boils down to personnel. If good operational policies exist at a correctional facility, then the people working there follow it in detail.

So, come on, news media and state officials, let's quit the knee-jerk comments, irrational reactions and finger-pointing and get on with addressing just the problems that need to be addressed.

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Ed Phillips is a former Millard County sheriff and the soon-to-be retired deputy commissioner of Public Safety.