Since hiring two additional jailers and constructing a security fence, Clark County Sheriff David Turner says things are running smoothly at the jail.
Two months ago, after the Clark County Quorum Court gave Turner the OK to create two positions, two jailers were hired. Now, between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., there are two jailers on duty at the jail so that the normal jailers are able to monitor inmates. The new jailers are responsible for booking in new inmates, administering medications and scheduling visits, among other things. Before this change was made, the only jailer on duty would have had to leave the inmates to book a new prisoner.
Turner said the change is “working great. It would be even better if we had two more ... Everything’s quitened down.”
A 10-foot security fence was added recently, also, and has “helped tremendously” on cutting down the import of contraband inside the jail. Just last week, however, deputies arrested a woman who made a “drop” outside the fence. She placed a lighter and some tobacco inside a sock that her boyfriend inside the jail had launched through a small hole in his cell window over the fence. Dispatchers saw the woman, and a deputy was sent to make the arrest. The boyfriend was found with the contraband inside his cell.
The fence has helped, Turner said, as it takes much longer for drops to be made, giving authorities time to stop the contraband from being delivered. Turner said another arrest was made after a man scheduled a visit with an inmate and tried to deliver contraband in a Sonic cup.
There were 15 inmates — about a third of the jail’s population — Friday awaiting the Arkansas Department of Correction to take them. There are about 20 Clark County arrestees in jails in Dallas, Miller and Grant counties because inmates are being turned away. When asked if it is normal to not accept inmates in the jail, Turner said, “It’s pretty common” since Pulaski County Jail is sending inmates to Conway and the newly constructed Hot Spring County Jail is already full. Turner said he accepts felony cases. “The only ones we turn away are misdemeanors.” Chief Deputy Ray Wingfield said, “We can’t hold any misdemeanors. We don’t have the space.”
Sentenced misdemeanors are sent to other jails. This puts a cost on the county, depending on which jail the inmate is sent to. The price ranges from $35 per day (Dallas County) to $53 per day (Jefferson County), and it costs $90 per day to house juveniles in the appropriate facilities. Turner said inmates brought in from Arkadelphia, Caddo Valley, Gurdon and Amity are also sent away, costing those cities the same amount it costs Clark County to house prisoners in other jails.
One alternative to sending inmates to other jails is ordering them to wear an ankle monitor. This costs the county only $14 per day, and some are even ordered to pay for the service themselves. It is also a saving on the county’s part as those who wear the monitor are responsible for buying their own food and medical bills. Another advantage to the ankle monitor is the ability to know exactly where the person is at any given time.
Turner also gave an update on the kitchen situation. After Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia could no longer supply meals for inmates, the Quorum Court Budget and Finance Committee set out to find another source to feed the prisoners. After negotiating with the Clark County Fair Board, a kitchen was secured at the fairgrounds, and a food service company was soon hired to prepare the meals, which are transported to the jail.
The new kitchen is “working out all right,” Turner said. “It would be better if it was attached to the jail.” At the end of the year, the Tiger Foods and rental contracts will be re-evaluated. Turner said he is happy with both the food service and the rental agreement, and said he is confident the county will continue to use the fairgrounds kitchen until something better is found. “We’re looking at everything, and it might come out a little under budget or right on budget,” he said of the financial changes that were made as a result of the food and rental contracts. “It fluctuates every day with the number of inmates.” There is an average of about 50 meals prepared each day.
Other problems at the jail are being addressed and taken care of as money becomes available. The jail, built in 1986, does have some mechanical problems. Turner said he is “slowly” upgrading the air conditioning system as problems arise, and the jail’s generator is in need of repair.
Overall, Turner and Wingfield agreed that the sheriff’s office has a “good working relationship” with court administrators, “and we have a good working jail and kitchen.” Turner said his administration is working well with County Prosecutor Blake Batson and Circuit Judge Robert McCallum. “We’ve had several people in jail for several years,” Turner said, and after a Sept. 15 trial those in jail will have been arrested this year. The administration also has a good relationship with the Department of Correction, Turner said, moving inmates from the jail to the prison system.
Arkadelphia, Ark. —
