McCracken jail to arm deputies on transports

By Anne Thrower athrower@paducahsun.com--270.575.8653


Thursday, January 26, 2006

For the first time, McCracken County deputy jailers will start carrying guns later this year while transporting county inmates to court or medical visits.

“It’s a safety issue for us and the public,” said Jailer Bill Adams. “We never know what we will get into when we go out.”

County inmates are now handcuffed and wear leg shackles when they are taken for medical visits or court appearances. But Adams said there is always a concern that someone, who knows they are being moved, plans to help them by hiding a gun in a trash can or bushes.

While nothing in particular has prompted the decision to carry guns, the incident in Atlanta last March when an inmate went on a shooting rampage — killing four people, including a judge — got everybody thinking along those lines, he said.

“It’s something that’s been on the back burner that’s never been done,” Adams said. He added that the sidearms also makes a better appearance. “It makes the public feel safer,” he said.

While state inmates — those already convicted — are moved by armed deputy jailers, county inmates awaiting trial are currently transported by unarmed deputy jailers.

Adams said six deputy jailers will be trained in the next few months after the weapons arrive. Others will also be trained as backups.

On Monday, the fiscal court agreed to spend $3,300 to purchase five pistols and three shotguns. The total cost to arm the deputies will be about $4,100, Adams said.

State law does not allow deputy jailers to carry guns inside the jail. When the new guns are not in use, they will be locked in a secure place, he said.