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Sheriff wants to validate jail store
Published Wednesday, October 29, 2008
For more than 20 years, the Chilton County Jail has operated a store and phone service for inmates — without a required act in the Alabama Legislature giving them the authority to do so.
Now, Sheriff Kevin Davis is seeking to enter an act in the Legislature that will allow the jail to continue providing these services.
An examiner found the discrepancy in a recent audit but took no immediate action with the understanding that Davis would pursue an act. The Chilton County Commission has agreed to assist the sheriff.
“We’re not wanting to change anything about how the store is run,” Davis said. “We just want to acquire an act with the state so it’s being done the legal and right way.”
The store allows inmates to purchase items such as candy bars, snacks, breakfast pastries and soft drinks. Phone calls are charged by the minute. While there is no limit on store purchases or calls, all calls must be made collect, and the person on the other end of the line must agree to accept fees.
Davis said he didn’t know how the absence of an act could have been overlooked for all these years, but said he was confident of its passage.
“[The act] just authorizes the setup of what’s already there and validates what’s already been set up,” County Attorney John Hollis Jackson explained.
The store and phone service together yield at least $4,000 per month, the proceeds of which are used to purchase needed items within the department.
“We could not survive without this, or it would be tough,” Davis said.
- Scott Mims can be reached at scott.mims@clantonadvertiser.com.
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Comments
Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Every time I see a story like this I am reminded of how screwed up and antiquated the Alabama Constitution actually is. The idea that the entire state legislature has to give approval for a county jail to operate an inmate store is just ridiculous. Whatever happened to the movement to rewrite our constitution?
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on October 30, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They did have a movement ... but that's as far as it got. DOH!
Posted by KikiSquigglebottom (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree. The local law enforcement officials know their inmates and the needs they have and are therefore best informed on how to run the jail.
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am confused and ignorant in this subject and have no desire to disrespect anyone, but I have a question. First off, I am glad that they found a way to generate proceeds, but why do we need a store in the jail? I have never been in jail so I don't understand this concept. Is it to make the inmates more comfortable and want to return? I assumed the jail provided inmates sufficient food and drink without charging them. I assumed it was not necessarily desirable food and drink, but sufficient for their needs. Candy bars, snacks, and soft drinks sound like a luxury not a necessity.
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