Tobacco shakedown conducted May 16th, 2005


A shakedown of the jail for tobacco products was conducted May16th,2005 in four and one half hours.


DEPUTY  BILL  ADAMS  STANDS  IN A  CELLBLOCK  AS  OTHER  DEPUTIES  SEARCH  THE  CELLS

BLADE  FROM  UTILITY  KNIFE  WAS  THE  ONLY  WEAPON  FOUND  DURING  THE  FOUR  AND  HALF  HOUR SEARCH.

20 deputy jailers under the supervision of Jailer Cliff Gill conducted a cell by cell search for all tobacco products. Inmates had been given notice April 24th that all opened tobacco products found in cells would be seized and destroyed on May 16th. Very few cigarettes and other tobacco items were found. 20 garbage bags of mostly nuisance contraband such as paper, candy wrappers, and plastic drink bottles were collected and destroyed. Packets of Bugler loose tobacco was the most tobacco product that was found. There were no incidents by inmates during the shakedown.  The 20 deputies entered the jail's cellblock one at a time two deputies were armed with a pepperball gun and a 12 gauge shotgun which is armed with pepperball ammo.  The weapons didn't have to be fired or used to challenge the inmates during the shakedown. Inmates who are locked in two man cells at 11pm are usually unlocked at 6am. During the shakedown inmates were not unlocked until their person and cell had been searched. Jailer Gill said "I was surprised at the cooperation we got from the inmates. I was expecting some demonstrations or protests but there was not even any smart remarks. The deputies did an outstanding job and were very professional. The only weapon that was found was a blade from a utility knife or box cutter. I was expecting more shanks or weapons to be found.   This is another example of the staff doing their job."

The last store call where tobacco was sold was conducted at April 25th and $2,109.79 of tobacco products were purchased by inmates. The total store call on that date was $5,533.75. Commissary Deputy Chuck Upchurch says the store call for May 16th was $4,482.50. Jailer Gill said "the commissary has not been impacted as hard as I thought."  The commissary fund is still making about $900.00 a week. The jail's TVs, recreation equipment, books and inmate personal care items are purchased with commissary profits. Two vehicles that are used in the Class D work program have been purchased with commissary funds.