Inmates Move Into New Jail
Some residents of the Sullivan County jail have a new home – right across the street.
A group of inmates was moved into the county’s new jail addition Wednesday evening.
The addition will hold 240 minimum- to medium-security inmates, but only 96 prisoners have moved so far, said Capt. Keith Elton of the Sheriff’s Office.
Elton said it’s easier to ensure security during such a transfer when it’s done in smaller doses.
“It takes a long time getting them in and getting them out and getting their property,” he said.
No incidents were reported during the transfer, said Sheriff Wayne Anderson.
Other inmates will be moved in a few days, he said. He could not release the date for security reasons.
The $3.4 million addition was scheduled to open last week, but construction oversights delayed the inmate transfer.
Cell doors lacked “pie holes,” or small slits to pass items to an inmate without opening the door.
Sixteen cell doors also had to be refitted, Anderson said.
The problems have been corrected, the sheriff said, but a few small projects are yet to be completed.
Telephones for the inmates to make calls have not arrived, he said. Although not a necessity, Anderson said each detail contributes to the overall safety and security of the jail.
“{Inmates] don’t have to have a telephone, but at the same time, it eases tensions when they can call home,” he said. “We just want to make sure everything is good and safe both for the officers and the inmates.”
The phones should arrive Monday, he said.
The new addition was built to alleviate overcrowding in the old jail, which has 383 beds but regularly holds more than 500 inmates.
The facility has eight large dormitory-style cell blocks.
Together, the facilities will cost about $1.2 million each year to operate.
![Inmates Move Into New Jail Some residents of the Sullivan County jail have a new home - right across the street. A group of inmates was moved into the county’s new jail addition Wednesday evening. The addition will hold 240 minimum- to medium-security inmates, but only 96 prisoners have moved so far, said Capt. Keith Elton of the Sheriff’s Office. Elton said it’s easier to ensure security during such a transfer when it’s done in smaller doses. “It takes a long time getting them in and getting them out and getting their property,” he said. No incidents were reported during the transfer, said Sheriff Wayne Anderson. Other inmates will be moved in a few days, he said. He could not release the date for security reasons. The $3.4 million addition was scheduled to open last week, but construction oversights delayed the inmate transfer. Cell doors lacked “pie holes,” or small slits to pass items to an inmate without opening the door. Sixteen cell doors also had to be refitted, Anderson said. The problems have been corrected, the sheriff said, but a few small projects are yet to be completed. Telephones for the inmates to make calls have not arrived, he said. Although not a necessity, Anderson said each detail contributes to the overall safety and security of the jail. “{Inmates] don’t have to have a telephone, but at the same time, it eases tensions when they can call home,” he said. “We just want to make sure everything is good and safe both for the officers and the inmates.” The phones should arrive Monday, he said. The new addition was built to alleviate overcrowding in the old jail, which has 383 beds but regularly holds more than 500 inmates. The facility has eight large dormitory-style cell blocks. Together, the facilities will cost about $1.2 million each year to operate.](https://tennquest.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2007-05-11-inmates-move-into-new-jail-BHC-p9.webp)
