Candidate profile: Sylvia Foraker, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4

Sylvia Foraker, a retired “Master Jailer” with 30 years of law enforcement experience, is running for Justice of the Peace in Precinct 4, bringing a management philosophy of “fair but firm” treatment grounded in the belief that inmates are “human beings” often caught on a bad day.

Under Foraker’s leadership, the Kerr County Jail was jokingly known as the “Kerr County B&B” because it was considered the gold standard for safety and cleanliness. Inmates transferred from Bexar County often told her, “Oh my god, I love it here,” because they felt safe compared to overcrowding in metropolitan jails.

Foraker’s approach emphasized de-escalation, priding herself on talking irate inmates down without using force. She noted that former inmates frequently approach her in public to thank her.

“If you call me Miss Sylvia, I know exactly where you’ve been,” Foraker said, “and they thank me for where they’re at today.”

Foraker detailed the intense scrutiny required to pass state jail inspections, noting she often created her own audit systems to ensure 100% compliance. She described auditing restraint chair logs, which require checks every 15 minutes, and would “kick it back” to guards if documentation was even a minute off to ensure they never failed a state inspection.

She demanded high activity from her staff, using the motto: “If you’re leaning, you should be cleaning.”

During the devastating July 4, 2025, flood, Foraker revealed her priorities were securing the jail to allow Sheriff Larry Leitha to focus entirely on disaster response in the community. While she wanted to help with search and rescue in the field, she recognized her primary duty was ensuring the generator kicked on and the 1-to-48 guard-to-inmate ratio was maintained.

Foraker explained she retired after receiving a “full release of calmness” from God. She is now running for justice of the peace to utilize relationships she built with judges, Child Protective Services and mental health professionals.

She expressed specific passion for working with truant minors, with a goal of rehabilitation.

“If we can give them a chance, maybe they won’t wind up in the adult system,” Foraker said.

Acknowledging the justice of the peace acts as coroner in Kerr County, Foraker admitted the weight of attending fatality scenes. She cited her experience volunteering with EMS and stated she would rely on prayer and mental health resources to handle the trauma of that duty.

She views the justice of the peace office as a place for the people, where staff should help citizens understand confusing paperwork for evictions and small claims, even though they cannot give legal advice.

“It’s not about me. It’s about you,” Foraker said. “I’m a dedicated servant. I’m not a 8 to 5. I will stay and do whatever I need to do 24/7, 365 days a year.”