The Concurrent Hamilton County Grand Jury has recommended that the Legislature increase penalties on those who drive on revoked licenses and drive drunk and on pawn shops and scrap yards that accept stolen property.

The panel, headed by Robert Smith, said legislators should "significantly enhance the punishment, including confiscation of the vehicle being driven, for driving on a suspended/revoked license, driving under the influence and driving without appropriate vehicle insurance."

The Concurrent Grand Jury also requested that the Hamilton County legislative delegation introduce bills which would increase the punishment for individuals who sell/pawn stolen items at pawn shops or sell stolen items at scrap yards.

It was also recommended that legislators "tighten restrictions on pawn shops and scrap yards to discourage these businesses from accepting stolen items, and require individuals attempting to sell vehicles, more than 10 years old, at a scrap yard to show a valid document indicating ownership."

The panel urged that video visitation be installed at the county jail to cut down on security concerns.

There was again a recommendation that a Juvenile Detention Center be constructed in Chattanooga.

The report calls for additional counseling of juveniles and said those juveniles housed here should only be permitted to view TV programs "which emphasize positive, successful values."

Here is the full report:

The Honorable Barry Steelman
Judge, Criminal Court, Division I
Hamilton County, Tennessee

Judge Steelman:

The Concurrent Grand Jury for the May – August, 2010 term presents the following report:

The members of the Grand Jury found their services to be very educational as it relates to the Criminal Justice System in Hamilton County. Very few citizens of Hamilton County have the opportunity to observe this process first-hand. The visits to the Hamilton County Jail, the CCA Facility (Silverdale), and Juvenile Detention Center were extremely informative.

The testimony of the various law enforcement officials made the Jurors appreciate the extreme danger of their work, and we appreciate their efforts to protect the law abiding citizens of Hamilton County.

The legal information provided by Assistant District Attorney, Bill West, was very helpful and appreciated, whether about a matter to be considered by the Jury or a general question about criminal law. We also very much appreciated Meghan Scanlon Roach serving as our notetaker for this term.

This report reflects the opinions of the Concurrent Grand Jury. We are charged with reporting on the County Jail and the Juvenile Detention Center. Although we are not reporting on the Silverdale Facility, we appreciated the informative tour provided by Mr. Standifer.

HAMILTON COUNTY JAIL

COMMENDATIONS:

The kitchen and food storage areas were very clean and well lit. Also, Mr. Hughes, the Food Service Supervisor, saves taxpayers’ dollars by preparing almost all food from scratch. Utilizing inmates as kitchen workers, the average meal cost per inmate per day is $2.66. Also, hopefully, the inmate workers will learn a skill to assist them in finding employment when released from jail.

The staff appeared to be prepared to take all needed measures for jail security, while at the same time, being aware of inmate rights.

Considering the age of the County Jail, it appeared to be well maintained.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The Grand Jury strongly urges the implementation of the Video Visitation System as soon as possible, as this will (a) greatly enhance jail security, (b) reduce manpower needs, (c) help reduce contraband being introduced into the facility and (d) provide a better and more efficient visitation process.

Expand the current Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID), to have the capability to do inventory control.

Some areas of the Jail need additional lighting to enhance the officer’s visual inspection of the cells.

Brighter colored paint would make some of the areas less depressing.

JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER

COMMENDATIONS:

The facility is well maintained and clean.

The staff appeared to be sincerely interested in caring for the detainees.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Due to the increase in violent crimes committed by juveniles and the decreasing age of the offenders, the Grand Jury strongly urges State and Local officials (a) to provide the funds to reestablish the very successful Intensive Probation Program and (b) to provide a Juvenile Correctional Facility to be located in Hamilton County, to enable parents to be regularly involved in sessions with their children and counselors. (Currently the closest facility of this type is at least two hours driving time away, which makes it inaccessible to many parents.) The Grand Jury fully realizes that these recommendations will cost additional taxpayer funds; however, decreasing juvenile crime will save taxpayer funds in the future.

Establishment of a long-term counseling program for parents and their children, who have committed minor offenses, which will reduce recidivism and prevent the juvenile from committing more serious offenses.

Only permit the detainees to view TV programs which emphasize positive, successful values.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Significantly enhance the punishment, including confiscation of the vehicle being driven, for driving on a suspended/revoked license, driving under the influence and driving without appropriate vehicle insurance. The Grand Jury is very concerned about the significant amount of law enforcement, court and grand jury time consumed for the adjudication of these crimes by repeat offenders.

The Concurrent Grand Jury requests that the Hamilton County Legislative Delegation introduce Bills in the State Legislature which would (a) increase the punishment for individuals who sell/pawn stolen items at pawn shops or sell stolen items at scrap yards, (b) tighten restrictions on pawn shops and scrap yards to discourage these businesses from accepting stolen items, and (c) require individuals attempting to sell vehicles, more than ten years old, at a scrap yard to show a valid document indicating ownership.

The Grand Jury recommends that funds be provided for operable video cameras in all City and County patrol cars.

JURY SERVICE

All Jurors, both Grand and Petit, should be paid at least $25.00 per day of service and all Jurors, both Grand and Petit, should have free parking on days that they serve. Requiring Petit Jurors to pay $2.00 for parking on days on which they serve is unreasonable for a citizen performing an extremely important public service at a very low rate of pay. The parking could be paid for either by County Government or by Republic Parking as a community service.

During this term, the Concurrent Grand Jury heard witnesses testify on 511 cases.