The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is answering questions about why hundreds of employees are getting a raises despite the fact that the sheriff had to lay off employees.

It all stems from contracts for both police and civilian employees.

Undersheriff Dwain Senterfitt said the Sheriff's Office doesn't have any control of those raises.

"We don't give raises like merit raises," he said. "I think that is what people think of, like, 'You are doing a really good job, you have been here a long time. I'm going to give you more money.' There are zero of those. There are people who get more money in their check in their salary a year because their contract says they will. For instance, police officers get step raises when they are suppose to by the contract."

The undersheriff said some of the raises also went to people who were promoted to different positions. There were also some staff members who lost money when they were demoted.