WHITLEY CITY —
The Kentucky Department of Corrections is expected within a matter of days to implement training assistance for the McCreary County Jail after reviewing several concerns at the facility.
County officials were notified of the report prepared by Jeff Burton, DOC Director of Local Facilities, on August 24. Burton’s report outlines an array of violations dating back to the first of this year:
• Out of four escapes, the jail failed to report three to the state agency within the time frame required by Kentucky Jail Standards. DOC also expressed concern about allegations that jail staff were armed when searching for escapees in the community.
“No staff at the jail is certified in firearms and this poses a serious liability issue for both the jail and county,” Burton wrote.
• The jail also failed to report the assault of an inmate in March. No charges were filed as the victim did not identify his assailant(s).
• On April 21, two state inmates left the jail’s unsecured apartment area (officially known as the Restricted Custody Center) for an alleged conjugal visit and returned on their own. Upon discovery of the escape, jail staff found that part of a closet floor had been removed to allow exit through the basement. The floor was repaired and neither inmate was charged. A later inspection of the RCC revealed unauthorized items such as “a van seat, mirrors, wooden shelves, tow bars, desk, pictures, suit case, etc.…”
“It is apparent that the inmates are not being searched upon their return from work and the staff is permitting these items to be placed in the center,” Burton wrote.
• On April 26, DOC Jail Services Specialist Michael Coomer was forced to reschedule Class D (state inmate) Supervisors training when Jailer Tony Ball doesn’t announce the meeting information.
• While DOC was sympathetic to understaffing issues, Burton noted that the jail occasionally failed to properly document head counts and contraband searches.
• DOC noted several structural and sanitation concerns, including: “filthy” floors and walls, poorly lit confinement areas, unsanitary showers, graffiti, rusting steel pan ceiling and peeling paint, stopped up gutters, and lack of drainage in the outdoor recreation area.
The report calls for the DOC, Kentucky Jailers Association and Kentucky Association of Counties to assist in additional training at the jail to correct the deficiencies within 60 days. Had the offer been declined without the county proposing an alternative plan, DOC indicated that it could close the jail down.
“The safety and security of the jail and the community is at risk when the Kentucky Jail Standards are not strictly adhered to and put into practice on a daily basis,” Burton wrote.
The state official did note that Jailer Ball has made efforts to improve security at the facility. Razor wire was recently installed over recreation yard. The jailer has also reached an agreement with call-provider Securus to fund new security cameras, secure HVAC vents and windows.
Ball issued the following statement regarding the correction plan: “As Jailer I look forward to working closely with the Department of Corrections on making important changes regarding the operation and maintenance of the McCreary County Jail. My staff and I will cooperate fully with the DOC on training and drafting an action plan for moving forward. As in the past, I have raised similar issues regarding the need for additional training, main-tenance and basic items and materials needed to properly maintain and operate the jail. We have challenges to overcome but my staff and I will work as a team with the DOC and others to ensure that the McCreary County Jail is operated in a professional manner that provides safety and security for the inmates and the people of McCreary County.”
McCreary County Judge-Executive Doug Stephens told the Record that his office is also cooperating with DOC. Budgetary limitations, however, require that improvements be prioritized.
“We understand what is required but with the budget as it is, not everything can happen as quickly as we’d like,” the judge said. “We have to consider stewardship and be wise in the way we spend for all of our departments. Jailer Ball has prioritized the necessities and we will fund items as soon as we can.”
Judge Stephens went on to say that the jail could assist in that endeavor. A oft-point of discussion between Ball and Fiscal Court has been the timely delivery of excess fees from the commissary fund, booking fees and phone fees. That issue has yet to be addressed by DOC.
Local News
DOC intervenes at McCreary County Jail
Training offered to correct security, management issues
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