Sheriff Tyrone Lewis gave the media* a tour of the Hind County Detention Center in Raymond after an inmate escaped Friday morning. The Sheriff and his employees pointed out numerous problems such as broken locks, doors that would not close, a lack of cameras, and design problems at the facility. The Sheriff said "we have a capable command staff in place, we just need a jail to run." The Sheriff said the county maintenance department was "inconsistent" in fixing problems and needed to "step up to the plate."
Flanked by Chief Deputy Chris Picou and Captain Joe Daughtry, Sheriff Lewis opened with a press conference. The Sheriff said the issues were "accountability" and "responsibility" as he discussed the escape. He said, "I am responsible for the personnel, these facilities, as well as making sure we can secure the inmates we house in these facilities." He then said the maintenance and repair of the jail was the "responsibility of the Board of Supervisors, the county administrator (Carmen Davis), and the county maintenance department." The Sheriff said there had been a pattern of "neglect" and "lack of repair" (2:16) since 1994. "Until the maintenance department of Hinds County steps up to the plate.. we are going to have issues with inmates escaping and our employees and personnel resigning and being afraid to come to work."
Sheriff Lewis said when he assumed office they found 30 non-functioning doors. He placed blame on the county maintenance department as he said "some days they come to work, some days they don't. There has been nothing consistent about the maintenance department to make sure these problems are taken care of." He said they would continue to "have issues with inmates escaping and our personnel depleting the way it is fixed or we come up with a proper solution we are going to continue to have these issues. (4:26)"
The escapee managed to pop a grate out of the wall in his holding cell. He had been in custody less than twelve hours. (The grate is shown in the video of the tour.) There was a section of plywood between the wall and the grate several inches thick which held the grate in place. The grate was removed in less than a minute. The inmate then entered a mechanical room. The door to the outside was secured with a flimsy lock. The inmate forced open the door and escaped the facility. He was captured forty minutes later at the Shell station on Highway 18. The inmate was Frederick Deschete. He was arrested for making a bomb threat in Byram. He has been arrested several times and was once committed to Whitfield.
Sheriff Lewis said it would take "a million plus" to make the needed repairs to the jail. He said he did not know how many escapes took place last year. Sheriff Lewis said "I am frustrated for the taxpayers" and "there is only so much I can do without the help of the maintenance department." He said he wanted to bring in experts to review the detention center and determine whether the best option is to repair the jail or build a new one. He said in the final press conference only Supervisors Robert Graham and Kenneth Stokes had visited the facility.
The tour was an eye-opener for one not in law enforcement. (Video of entire tour is posted below. It's worth watching.) Inmates banged on the doors when they saw us pass. Hutto screamed, "I will kill you Tyrone Lewis" as we went by his cell. There were pools of standing water in the maintenance rooms. Machines um, rigged with coat-hangers to keep them working. Grates held in place with plywood. Ceilings ripped out by inmates seeking weapons or anything that could be used in an escape. Deputies showed how inmates could use wire taken out of the ceiling to pop open cell doors- in less than five seconds. Inmates showed how they could use bed sheets to open doors in less than thirty seconds. Employees said cameras were not in all of the housing units. The Sheriff showed how one inmate was able to escape through a supposedly secure outside recreation area. He was able to tie two bedsheets and a broomstick together, throw them over part of the ceiling (a chain link fence covered the entire area), hoist himself up, and escape to the roof. Repairs were made to the "ceiling" to ensure there would be no repeat performance by other inmates. The Chief Deputy pointed out blind spots in the camera coverage. The Sheriff said the facility was designed to be a "jail, not a prison" as a prison was for long-term incarcerations while a jail is meant to be a temporary holding facility.
The next question is whether the board will actually move towards building a new jail or settling for repairs.
*Media present: WLBT, WAPT, Clarion-Ledger, Fox40, WJTV, Jackson Jambalaya
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Sheriff calls out county maintenance department on jail repairs
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Trollfest '09
Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.
Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).
Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.
Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".
In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.
In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.
Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.
Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!
This is definitely a Beaver production.
Note: Security provided by INS.
Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).
Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.
Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".
In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.
In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.
Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.
Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!
This is definitely a Beaver production.
Note: Security provided by INS.
Trollfest '07
Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.
There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.
If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!
This is definitely a Beaver production.
Note: Security provided by INS.
There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.
If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!
This is definitely a Beaver production.
Note: Security provided by INS.
8 comments:
The authority structure makes little sense. The Sherriff should have his own maint dept - then there would be sole source of authority and accountability.
With the amount of $ it takes to run the jail why not let a private company come in and have a shot?
Who built this facility and who gave them the contract?
Dunn Construction Company built the jail and settled up with the county several years ago for what was deemed to be their responsibility. The real problem was that Bennie Thompson and crew insisted on hiring a minority engineering firm from Chicago to do the design. The work they did was pure crap - illegible drawings, called for equipment that manufacturers specs showed to be inadequate(an example is that the motors on cell doors were not powerful enough), etc. Then, the firm disappeared before the project was finished and problems worked out. I assume that the project was let for bid and Dunn was the lowest bidder.
http://www.co.hinds.ms.us/pgs/boardminutes/docs/07_24_00.pdf
An ongoing problem.
Isnt the jail understaffed by 40 or more employees that Sheriff Lewis has yet to hire? If your understaffed by that high of a number, not only will you have escapees you will also be puting employees in a high risk extremely dangerous positions. Seems funny Yo Sheriff blames all this on maintenance and there is no mention of how understaffed he is!!! Go Figure!!
It is absolutely amazing how dumb some of you are!! The way the county government is set up the BOS (thats Board of Supervisors) has control of the money! ALL OF IT!! Yes,they divide up the money and distribute it out to the different departments but who gets how much is ENTIRELY up to them. The Sheriff will only have the funds given to him by the BOS, which according to Kenniff Tokes the Sheriff has too much. I can't explain that reasoning either. The Jail problem has direct relation to the crime problem in Jackson. No room in jail, more criminals on the street...get it! So maybe yall should think about that when you vote your next bunch into office. Lesson over
If you must travel through Jackson or Hinds County on I-55 or I-20, whatever you do - don't stop in Jxn !
(With the exception of Canton), less bullets, cheaper gasoline, and better restaurants
are abundant in the surrounding towns.
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