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Committee To Review Jail Addition Cost

One of the major issues Sullivan County commissioners must face will be coming into focus next week. The topic will be a major addition to the county’s overcrowded 23-year old jail that may cost more than $5 million. A jail planning committee of five commissioners appointed by County Judge Lon Boyd will sit down Wednesday and discuss two major questions. First, is $5 million too much? Secondly, how is the money going to be raised? The jail committee also must review architect Allen Dryden's preliminary plans and see if any proposed facilities can be cut out to keep the cost down. With the current political climate in Sullivan County it’s a good bet commissioners more than likely will let voters decide in a bond referendum rather than take the attitude they are elected to do what's best for Sullivan County and find 17 yes votes to approve a bond issue without the voters. Factors leading to a public vote will be the fact that Sullivan County already is obligated to repay $40.6 million in school construction bonds authorized without a referendum and the 50-cent tax rate increase repayment of the bonds will impose on rural property owners next year. As many as 133 inmates were housed at one time last year in a jail built to hold 116, making the addition necessary. Men, women and juveniles are not put in separate areas and several lawsuits charging inhuman conditions have been filed in U.S. District Court against the county and Sheriff Mike Gardner. County officials believe federal authorities may force the county to build a new jail. At the committee's direction, Dryden has prepared plans for a two-story addition that would provide beds for 200 inmates. It would be attached to the present jail in the courthouse parking lot. "It's really an inverted T wing that goes off the end of the existing facility with the leg of the T facing north,’' Dryden said. "What they've got it to costing now would be better than $5 million, and, of course, the longer you put it off the higher it’s going to get," committee chairman Lake Barnes said. "We're going to have to see whether the commissioners want to put it before the voters or go with the approval of 17 members,” Barnes said. Dryden said the proposed jail addition would take a year to 15 months to build. "If you look at this presently planned facility as being a solution for the next 30 years, it becomes financially feasible — at least in the eye of average figures around the country,” Dryden said. “But what's financially feasible in the country may not be in Sullivan County. That’s what the political process is going to have to determine. "I won't know what the budget amount of the project would be until the building plans are definite," Dryden said. “We have waded through a mountain of regulations and minimum and maximums and all kinds of standards for jails from various points of view — all of which were very conflicting and very contradictory,” he added. "The cost could run somewhere between $15,000 and $42,000 per bed depending or whose standards and whose point of view you're looking at.” Extensive remodeling also is planned for the present jail, but its capacity would be significantly reduced to an estimated 50 to 60 inmates because federal and state regulations would require the cells to meet current standards.

Kingsport Times-News – …As many as 133 inmates were housed at one time last year in a jail built to hold 116, making the addition necessary…and several lawsuits charging inhuman conditions have been filed in..

A Near Emergency Exists in the Sullivan County Jail

In 1955 a county jail was built that was expected to serve the county’s needs for at least 40 years. Twenty-three years later a county Grand Jury report says overcrowding at the jail must be solved somehow. By MARK RODIN Times-News Staff Writer "The overcrowded condition of the jail is a result of county growth, increased crime rates and the result of Sessions Court Judges scheduling those persons convicted of DWI charges to serve time on weekends. “It is the opinion of the Grand Jury that Sullivan County needs and can afford a modern county jail of ‘sufficient size to retain those persons convicted of felonies and crimes against our tax paying citizens. It seems that our judicial system in Sullivan County is wasting time and taxpayers’ money to go through legal proceedings to convict criminals if we have no place to retain them.” Sullivan County Grand Jury report, Feb. 15, 1978. In the early 1950s Sullivan County was placing persons charged with crimes in a jail that probably was built during the Victorian era. Howard Poston, who was county judge then, can’t recall when it was built and could only describe it now as being like "an old time county jail back out in the mountain area. “It was really in a foul condition,” said Hal Carr, who followed Poston as county judge. “I would have to guess it was built about 1890,” Carr added. “I heard my father talk about some hangings there and some of the notorious people who were in there.” In 1954 voters approved a $200,000 bond issue to construct the present jail. Sullivan County Commissioner Wilfred Gillenwater of Bristol headed the building committee. Gillenwater said the $200,000 jail bond issue was the largest ever placed before voters and was second only to school construction projects. Construction on what is now the county jail began in the spring of 1955. It was of officially dedicated on Jan. 25, 1956. A newspaper article on the dedication said the new jail was “hailed as the latest word in penal institutions. “The new jail boasts maximum security construction shown to be needed by three escapes from the old building since Oct. 21, 1955,” the news story continued. Gillenwater thought the newly opened jail would be adequate for 40 or 45 years. “I don’t think we officially projected, but that’s what we were thinking,” he added. However the jail was not adequate for 20 years. ; “It is felt that a near emergency exists in the Sullivan County Jail,” a grand jury report from November, 1975 says. “These conditions are further brought to the fore at this time as a result of the Tennessee State Penitentiary refusing to accept prisoners and the resultant dangerous overcrowding of the jail,” the report added. “This grand jury has been informed of examples of danger to inmates themselves as a result of physical violence, and extreme danger to the officers who must work the jail —a direct result of overcrowding. “It is evident that the only solution to the overcrowding would be to somehow find additional cell space,’’ it continues. ‘‘We encourage those who are in a position to make a decision to take proper action to alleviate this present overcrowding as soon as possible.” State law requires each grand jury sworn in for a Criminal Court term to "inquire into the condition and management of the public prisons, and other county buildings and institutions within the county" as a "special duty.” Overcrowding and a change in judicial temperament toward prisoners’ rights since 1956 are forcing the hand of the county commissioners, who are expected to approve hiring an architect to prepare plans and cost estimates for a major addition to the jail Monday. Consultants from the County Technical Assistance Service at the University of Tennessee have recommended space for at least 150 more inmates be built onto the jail. “I'm out of room,” Gardner stated. "At one point a couple of months ago I had 133 inmates and 116 beds. “My projected figure for the minimum amount Sullivan County will need 30 years from today is space for 300 prisoners,” the sheriff added. “Look at the population growth and the fact nationally and statewide we're sort of backing off some of our probation and parole programs and more people are serving time in local jails,” he explained. “You need to plan 25 — at least 30 years in the future.” Gardner may get his 300 inmate jail. County Judge Lon Boyd is expected to appoint a special committee to handle architect selection and jail planning. “If a jail committee is appointed, that’s one of the things we'll discuss,”’ the sheriff said. Even persons guilty of minor offenses such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) find their way into the county jail — at least if they are convicted in Kingsport General Sessions Court. “We have a policy everyone convicted of driving while under the influence will be sent to jail for a minimum of 60 hours on the first offense and fined $200 and costs,” General Sessions Judge George Garrett said. That policy meant 674 persons convicted on DWI charges were sent to the county jail last year. Another 430 persons were given jail sentences through Oct.4, according to Garrett’s records. Other problems accompany the overcrowding. “When you're talking about population problems, you're also talking about the problem you cannot segregate the different types of offenders,” Gardner said. “It is not always possible to separate an 18-year-old misdemeanor offender from hard core criminals serving long felony sentences,” the sheriff added. Together overcrowding and failure to classify prisoners can lead into a federal or state courtroom, and the results there can be far-reaching as state corrections administrators learned in August. Ruling on a case filed in September 1975 by three Tennessee State Penitentiary inmates, Chancellor Ben H. Cantrell of Nashville said the state penal system violated prisoners’ rights. Cantrell said the state prison system and its administrators failed to “identify the vocational, social, mental and physicial needs of prisoners.” In addition he cited a failure to protect prisoners by ‘neglecting to grade and classify individuals in a manner as shall be most conducive to prison discipline and the moral status of the prisoner. “At a minimum, overcrowding must be eliminated,” Cantrell added. ‘‘The classification system must enable the Department of Correction to separate the potentially violent from the weaker prisoners and identify the medical, educational and treatment needs of the prisoners entering the system.” Cantrell placed the prison system under a special master to carry out court-ordered reforms. Federal courts acted earlier. The landmark decision came in Alabama where U.S. District Judge Frank Johnson placed the state's prison system under the direction of an experienced administrator who carried out major changes. More importantly a federal court ordered radical improvements in the Knox County Jail in a 1975 case where Gardner was called in as a consultant to help bring about the changes US. District Judge Robert Taylor ordered. Among those changes were: A 4,000-calorie diet daily for each inmate. The diets are approved by a nutritionist from the University of Tennessee. Inmates were provided with shoes. They also are provided with clean uniforms weekly. Inmates are given clean linen every week and their underwear is laundered weekly. The sheriff was required to add enough guards so one would watch each cell block on each shift. Training must be provided for each guard. Inmates must be classified by crime, age and sex. Inmates must be given a complete physical examination by a doctor if they are in jail more than 72 hours. Black and white television placed in front of each cell block. A daily period of exercise must be made available to all inmates. High school and college classes, reading material, and recreational equipment such as checkers and playing cards must be available for inmates. Telephones must be made available for inmates. Gardner was employed by the county technical assistance service when he was called in by the Knox County Sheriff's Department as a consultant to help make the required changes. He does not wish to see Sullivan County put in a similar position. Asked for his opinion of what might happen if a federal court mandates reforms in his jail, Gardner replied: “I'd hate to predict. “I don’t know how to predict, but I would be afraid it would be more severe and more costly than going ahead and acting on our own from my experience in Knox County,” he added. Is there is any alternative to building an addition to the jail or a new jail? “None,’’ Gardner replied.

Kingsport Times-News – …we’re sort of backing off some of our probation and parole… Even persons guilty of minor offenses …find their way into the county jail. Is there is any alternative to building an..

History is Repeating Itself

In January 1955 Sheriff G.H. Hurd, left, architect Milton Robelot and County Judge Howard Poston surveyed the site for the present county jail. The 1890s jail is in background, and the new jail was to be a vast improvement over it. In 1978, history is repeating itself as county officials seek away to replace the outdated jail of 1955.

Kingsport Times-News – In January 1955 Sheriff G.H. Hurd, left, architect Milton Robelot and County Judge Howard Poston surveyed the site for the present county jail. The 1890s jail is in background, and the new..Read More

Unsanitary Conditions Shown in Photos

Bristol Herald Courier – “On completion of receiving procedures, all prisoners are assigned to living quarters that are not detrimental to their health. The necessities that ore needed in order to maintain an adequate level..

“Deplorable” Jail Unsanitary – Usually Overcrowded

Bristol Herald Courier -…Prisoners are not permitted satisfactory living conditions and we don’t think that’s too much to expect. Punishment should not include… living in a filthy environment and a substandard diet. Should it?… Read..

Jammed Sullivan County Jail Packed With People, Problems

Kingsport Times-News – …Built in 1955 with a designed capacity of 116, the jail… according to Sheriff Mike Gardner’s Administrative Assistant Keith Westmoreland, “was obsolete before it was finished.” Westmoreland says he… Read More

Magistrates To Hear About Crowded Jail

Magistrates To Hear About Crowded Jail By DAVID OSTERHOUT Times-News Staff Writer It may not be long before Sullivan County hangs out a no-vacancy sign in front of its jail. Sheriff's department officials say overcrowding is rapidly becoming a grave problem, and if present trends continue, they'll soon be full up. And with more prisoners on hand than anticipated, the money for food also is running low, say Chief Deputy Laddie Harwood and Jailer Clyde Baldwin. Their concern is deep enough that they intend to lay the issue before the Sullivan County Court Safety Committee and buttonhole other magistrates so that thinking can begin on how to bring about a solution. Harwood said, “We need to get the people thinking. The taxpayers realize that we've got the (prisoners ) up here. They must also realize the prisoners are human beings who have to be fed and housed.” Looking toward the future, the law officers estimate that jail capacity would have to be doubled to accommodate the rapid rise in inmates. Baldwin said, “We're going to need either another floor or a new jail. If we add an extra floor, the whole thing will have to be surveyed to see if the foundation would take it. And now, the plumbing is busted, worn out. It would probably have to be reworked from the bottom up. Harwood said he isn't criticizing county court for jail conditions although he did say that in the case of the plumbing, “It's been studied to death,” and nothing’s been done. “We have complete confidence in the court. We're going to tell them, "We've got the problem; you've got the wisdom." We just want to lay our proposal before them,” said Harwood.He added, “These (the court members) are businessmen. They know if the prisoners are out on the street, someone will have to pay. Turning them loose is not the answer.” So Thursday, Harwood will go before the safety committee to lay groundwork for some type of jail capacity study. He also intends to talk to "interested" squires on other committees. Since prisoners are arriving in greater numbers than expected, Harwood will be making two main points: the jail isn't big enough, and the food budget is being stretched to the limit. Present capacity is 116 beds including a special wing for juveniles. Last weekend, There were 116 prisoners at Blountville, according to Baldwin. In theory, there should have been enough beds to go around, but that was not the case. Baldwin uses a 12-person cell for female prisoners. Since he rarely has more than eight women inmates, the other beds stay empty. That leaves four prisoners without a bed. The overflow is put in the “holding tank” or sleep on mattresses on the cell floors. Harwood blamed the inmate influx on two developments: the declining economy which he feels has led to more felony cases and to an increased emphasis on making sure that drunk drivers get at least a two-day taste of jail life. Harwood said the increase in prisoners was first felt in 1974. He pointed to a graph which reflected these statistics on felony cases: 1971 — 1,077; 1972 — 993; 1973 — 901; 1974 — 1580; with 2,580 projected for this year.” Harwood said, ‘‘This started at about the time of the recession. When times get harder, it seems like we get more inmates.” And in the case of DWI violators, the Sullivan County District Attorney General's Office has estimated that that total amount of jail time has risen by about 700 per cent from last year. With a normal jail population of about 100 prisoners, earlier budget estimates are outdated. The food budget was figured on populations of about 65 to 70 prisoners. Harwood said he’s keeping within the estimated costs through cutbacks on waste. “We're just like the housewife. We know we only have just so much money, and we're trying to live with it,” he said. Nevertheless, Baldwin feels, "We'll never make it. We'll run out of money just like we did last year.” The problem is further aggravated by overcrowding at state institutions. The sheriff's department was notified Tuesday that the Tennessee State Penitentiary will not accept any new admissions until Friday. Harwood commented, “It’s only three days this time, but who knows, they could pull it again.”

Kingsport Times-News – …‘Sheriff’s department officials say overcrowding is rapidly becoming a grave problem, and if present trends continue, they’ll soon be full up…‘This started at about the time of the recession.”… Read More

Jail Photos

Kingsport Times-News – These photos of the Sullivan County jail were taken on a scheduled tour after the cells were cleaned. Chief Jailer Clyde Baldwin (left) walks by the dinner bench. Two inmates are confined..

Conditions Still Inhumane

Kingsport Times-News -…There is no room in the jail for anything resembling… more than the confinement of livestock. Attitudes will have to change before they’ll stop treating a man like livestock & wondering why he..

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