Sullivan Jail Crowded, Jury Says
“Extreme crowding” in the Sullivan County Jail was one of several problems listed by the county grand jury yesterday in a report to a county judge.
The grand jury, which has the power to close the jail, told Criminal Court Judge Edgar Calhoun the jail provides only 42 percent of the space required by Tennessee law. Build a new jail or expand the present one, jurors recommended.
Jurors said crowded conditions at the jail caused the early release of some prisoners. Sheriff Mike Gardner said he has asked some judges for early releases for prisoners convicted of misdemeanors because of crowded conditions.
“It’s a common problem today in prisons,” Gardner said. The sheriff said overcrowding wasn’t restricted to cells: Deputys’ shift changes are performed in hallways, reports are written in hallways and there is a lack of locker facilities for officers.
The grand jury’s report to Calhoun didn’t just point out weaknesses. Sheriff’s Department employees were “commended” for their performance “in spite of the physical and financial limitations placed on them.”
The jury expressed concern about manpower in the Sheriff’s Department, noting that “fewer than 12 patrol officers per shift serve the 80,000 Sullivan County residents who reside outside the cities.” The report urged more money be spent on the department.
Jurors sampled food at the jail and called it “good.” They said hot water problems at the jail were due to misuse of facilities by prisoners.
Prisoners are “tearing up fixtures and plumbing in general,” Gardner said. The jury said they could find no solution to the hot water problems.
Prisoners complained to the grand jury about inadequate medical care, but the jury reported to Calhoun that “soon after our visit a male nurse started to work at the jail. We believe that should much help the medical care problem.”
Grand jurors also inspected the Sullivan County Home for the Aged and the Sullivan County Children’s Home. Both places were in satisfactory condition, jurors reported.
