New dispatch/jailer area provides a view of all cells simultaneously. Photo by Coltrane Carlson-Raccoon Valley Radio
As the new Greene County Jail continues to progress along, there are some new added security features.
Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams says the in-take of individuals into the new jail will initially have better security measures from the start compared to what they are currently using.
“In the other building, when they bring an inmate in from the outside, (they) actually have to go through the kitchen, through a hallway before they get to the secured area. Whereas the new jail, as soon as the Sally Port doors close that’s all secured. Everything there is covered by locked doors (and) cameras. They get booked and then they’re put into the cell block area.”
Williams points out another safety factor for his jail staff is the hands-off approach they will have for a majority of the time, especially with the automated, electronic locks on each of the cells.
“The jailers should never to have to contact with the inmate. Other than through an intercom, they shouldn’t have to be with walking with them, down the hallways or to exercise. Like the current jail, jailers have to take the inmates down a set of basement stairs into the basement of the jail to do exercise. Whereas here (in the new jail) they’ll just simply get on the intercom and tell them to come out of their cell and and go to the exercise room.”
Williams notes another improvement is not only the increased number of cells, going from eight to 20, but that there is a separate female only cell block with a restroom and shower facility. He explains that when a female inmate is at the current jail, they have to close one cell on each side of her because of separation regulation.
Williams is thrilled to see that the new jail that was originally set to open this October/November has been pushed up to August 1st.