|
|
 |
|
Jail Division
Major Chris Hudson |
Major
Chris Hudson, appointed by Sheriff Chastain, is the administrator for
the county jail which houses, feeds, and provides for the general
welfare of prisoners awaiting trial from all jurisdictions of the county
including the municipalities.
The sheriff’s office is also required to keep prisoners who have
been tried and have received 90 days or less from the court.
Those sentenced for child support or other civil contempts remain
housed at the county regardless of their sentence.
The
sheriff’s office jail staff is also required to provide transportation
and security of prisoners to and from court and maintain their safety as
well as that of the public. Among
other duties that must be performed by the staff is evaluating each
prisoner. Care must be given
in the placement of the prisoner. Inmates
may have altercations with others inmates and separation is necessary to
maintain order and safety of the individuals and officers.
Medical screenings must be conducted and meals must be prepared.
Victims must be notified of arrests, bond hearings and releases.
Inmates must be carried to bond hearings.
Inmate requests for medical attention must be attended.
Laundry must be exchanged and cleaned, inmates must be escorted
to visiting areas and families questions must be answered.
Inmates have to be transported to hospitals, dentists and doctor
appointments. Photos taken,
fingerprints rolled, booking forms completed, property inventoried and
on and on.
Often
times it is not realized what must be done to provide for the general
welfare of inmates and maintaining a county jail.
In 2007, there were 3,523 individuals who passed through the
doors of the
Johnson
Detention
Center
on their way to being booked in. The
average daily inmate population for 2007 was 192 prisoners.
The detention officers have a very difficult, demanding and stressful
job. Each individual
incarcerated is dependant on the staff for their basic necessities of
survival and the officer must be alert and observant to take care of
their requirements at hand yet not becoming a victim themselves while in
vulnerable areas to attack from inmates in the facility.
|
