Bradley County jail could profit from e-cigarettes

The Bradley County Jail is in Cleveland, Tenn.
The Bradley County Jail is in Cleveland, Tenn.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office would like to stock e-cigarettes in the jail commissary and use the proceeds from sales to inmates to buy needed equipment.

The sheriff's office asked county commissioners last week to amend the county's e-cigarette policy, which forbids the use of "vaping" devices along with other tobacco products.

Sheriff Eric Watson told commissioners changing the policy would allow the commissary to sell the products to inmates for use in the recreation yard.

"Jails across the state are allowing e-cigs to be sold to their inmates and there's a lot of money to be made," recently.

Based on e-cig sales trends at other correctional facilities, the sheriff's office could bring in $96,000 to $120,000 per year, he said.

Revenue from the sales could pay for safety vests, defibrillators or other department needs, said Chief Deputy Brian Smith.

Commission Chairman Louie Alford suggested earmarking the revenues from e-cig sales.

"I think if you designate what that money is for, it will be an easier sale for the commission," Alford said.

Capt. Gabe Thomas of the Corrections and Judicial Services Division said allowing inmates to use e-cigs could help ease the symptoms of sudden withdrawal from nicotine.

But Commissioner Terry Caywood expressed concern over providing e-cigarettes to inmates, citing studies that claim that the chemicals used in vaping devices are harmful. However, he acknowledged the tension-breaking benefits addressed by Thomas.

"I know people that are so hooked on nicotine that when they get off of it, they get to be really hard to deal with," said Caywood.

Watson's office also wants to reduce the burden of travel-related food expenses for its officers.

He asked commissioners to consider amending a countywide policy that requires employees to pay for travel-related meals with their own funds and wait for reimbursements.

Capt. Steve Lawson said the sheriff's office would like to give the traveling officers their per diem up front, instead of making them pay for food out of their own pockets.

"I'm not standing here talking for me, I'm standing here talking for the people in corrections or the people who are general deputies and survive week to week," said Lawson, who leads the Criminal Investigation Division. "Some people can't afford to be reimbursed. Is that fair?"

The proposal would not change the per diem amount of $38 for the sheriff's office, said Watson, who mentioned that state employee per diem is $46 and county school employees receive a $40 per diem.

Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.

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