Cass County Sheriff Defends Inmate Release Protocol

Sheriff Jesse Jahner says jail staff cannot know every inmate's circumstances upon release

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:36am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In an interview on WDAY Radio's Jay Thomas Show, Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner defended his department's handling of inmate releases from the county jail, the largest in North Dakota. Jahner said with over 6,700 releases in 2025, it's impossible for staff to know the circumstances of each person's stay and needs upon release. He placed responsibility on court-appointed attorneys to notify the jail of any special accommodations needed. Jahner said inmates are released to the jail lobby with access to phones and resources, and staff have provided assistance like transportation or hotel stays when needed.

Why it matters

The case of Angela Lipps, a Tennessee woman released from the Cass County Jail after charges were dropped, raised questions about the jail's protocols for releasing inmates, especially those who may be vulnerable or have nowhere to go. This interview provides the sheriff's perspective on the challenges of managing a high-volume jail and the role of other parties in ensuring a safe and supported release for inmates.

The details

Sheriff Jahner said 6,735 individuals were released from the Cass County Jail in 2025. He said jail staff cannot be expected to know the circumstances of each person's stay and any special needs they may have upon release. Jahner placed responsibility on court-appointed attorneys to notify the jail if an inmate requires assistance getting transportation or accommodations. He said inmates are released to the jail lobby, where they have access to phones and resources, and staff have provided help like rides or hotel stays when needed. Jahner said the jail also works with organizations like Jail Chaplains to provide clothing and other support programs.

  • In 2025, the Cass County Jail released 6,735 individuals.

The players

Jesse Jahner

The Cass County Sheriff who was interviewed on the WDAY Radio show.

Angela Lipps

A Tennessee woman who was released from the Cass County Jail after charges against her were dropped.

Adam Martin

The founder of the F5 Project, who was contacted by Lipps' court-appointed attorney and drove to the jail to pick her up and provide her with a cell phone and transportation to Chicago.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“They would not know the circumstances of Miss Lipps' situation, and that she had been brought here and needed to get back. That would need to be relayed to us if we needed to make certain accommodations to get an individual back or know that they didn't have a place to go here.”

— Jesse Jahner, Cass County Sheriff

“The attorney is working with this person every day. They know that this person is going to be released. If that person needed certain circumstances, we would think that that person would let us know, because they have that first-hand information, and then we would most certainly make accommodations. We've done that in the past.”

— Jesse Jahner, Cass County Sheriff

“That's really disappointing for me that someone would think that.”

— Jesse Jahner, Cass County Sheriff

What’s next

The judge overseeing Angela Lipps' case will review the circumstances surrounding her release from the Cass County Jail and determine if any changes are needed to the jail's protocols.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by large county jails in managing the release of thousands of inmates annually, and the need for clear communication between jail staff, court-appointed attorneys, and social service providers to ensure vulnerable individuals have the support they need upon release.