Bradley jail's used underwear policy irks some

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Should county inmates be issued laundered but previously worn underwear?

Bradley County Constable Dewayne Hicks said Tuesday he is offended.

The subject was briefly mentioned by Sheriff Jim Ruth during an hour-plus meeting with the County Commission's Law Enforcement Committee.

The topics ranged from the availability of the county environment officer to rebidding the jail food contract, researching the existing commissary contract, county officers directing traffic on Sundays at a big church and work to pass the next jail inspection among other issues.

But Ruth also was asked other questions, too. He said toilet tissue is issued in a more controlled way now. Use has been cut in half, he said, because inmates don't waste it on wet paper wads to throw at the ceiling or flushing unused paper.

Somewhere near the end of the discussion, the subject of the county issuing used underwear to inmates came up.

Hicks was waiting to comment, as a public official himself, outside the meeting afterward.

"That's not right," he said. "I think that's a health concern. They are not animals. They are human beings like you and I. It's one size fits all. Do you buy one size fits all?"

On the other concerns, Ruth said he is considering assigning a reserve officer to assist the environment officer.

Committee members Howard Thompson and Ed Elkins said the officer, paid by the County Commission out of its budget, should be available when commissioners get complaints.

Thompson said there have been some complaints about pricing in the commissary where snacks and personal hygiene items are sold to inmates. Committee members want more information before they make any recommendation to the full commission.

The committee did vote to recommend rebidding for contracted food services, which expires in December.

County Commission Chairman Louie Alford, who is not a committee member, said he and others have been fielding questions and complaints about county officers in county cars doing Sunday morning traffic control around the new First Baptist Church on Stuart Road, a city street.

"If you don't have somebody out there, it will be a mess," Elkins said.

Ruth said the officers are off-duty and paid for by the church.

As to the failing grade the jail got on its last inspection, Ruth vowed that won't happen next time. All available trustys, he said, have been scouring the jail.

"We are going to pass this inspection," the sheriff said.

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