The Regular Grand Jury, headed by Robert Smith, reported after the September-December term, that more educators are needed at the Silverdale Facility, to include job training.
The report says: "More educators are needed at the facility – two full-time teachers are not sufficient to serve 600 inmates. Perhaps, some type of job training could be taught to help the inmates find work upon their release. However, repeat offenders should not have unlimited access to these programs, since they are taking space which could be utilized for inmates who will profit from the program.
"Consideration should be given to using the inmates for jobs other than facility housekeeping and road crews, such as at other government buildings."
Here is the full report.
The Honorable Don Poole
Judge, Criminal Court, Division III
Hamilton County, Tennessee
Judge Poole:
The Regular Grand Jury for the September – December, 2014 term presents the following Report:
The Jurors found their service on the Grand Jury to be very educational as it relates to the Criminal Justice System in Hamilton County. We did not realize there was so much crime in our County. The visits to the Hamilton County Jail, Silverdale Facility, Juvenile Detention Center, and the presentation by Community Corrections were very informative.
The testimony of the different law enforcement officers made us realize the dangerous nature of their work, and we sincerely appreciate their efforts to protect the citizens of Hamilton County.
Foreman Robert Smith and Assistant District Attorney Jerry Sloan represented themselves in a professional manner, and educated us on many of the criminal laws of our State. We appreciated Kai Heath serving as the notetaker for this term.
We would be happy and pleased to serve again on the Grand Jury in the future.
SILVERDALE (CCA)
Commendations:
(1) Overall the facility appeared clean and orderly.
(2) The employees seemed to have a caring attitude toward the inmates.
(3) The menus for the inmates are approved by a dietician and the most recent health report for the kitchen was 100%.
Recommendations:
(1) More educators are needed at the facility – two full-time teachers are not sufficient to serve 600 inmates. Perhaps, some type of job training could be taught to help the inmates find work upon their release. However, repeat offenders should not have unlimited access to these programs, since they are taking space which could be utilized for inmates who will profit from the program.
(2) Consideration should be given to using the inmates for jobs other than facility housekeeping and road crews, such as at other government buildings.
(3) The Correctional Officers appeared professional, but CCA should consider a longer than six-week training program.
(4) While we were visiting the facility, there were several prisoners with their pants near or below the waist and shirts were not tucked in. This should not be permitted, even if difficult to enforce.
(5) Some of the Jurors opined that since all the inmates have committed crimes, they should not be given privileges such as watching TV, have access to telephones or be able to purchase snacks. While others believed that a point system should be used for inmates to have access to privileges, since it is a method of controlling their behavior.
(6) Silverdale should hire a coordinator to assist with finding appropriate volunteers to provide educational programs for the inmates.
(7) The plexiglass windows in the old section of the facility are severely scratched and need to be replaced.
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
Commendation:
This program is an excellent method of permitting defendants to work off their sentences to pick up litter along the roads and/or at provide services for various government facilities.
Recommendations:
(1) The GPS bracelets need to be upgraded to insure that all individuals can be carefully monitored at all times.
(2) Community Corrections needs to be able to hire more individuals to monitor those defendants who are wearing the GPS bracelets.
(3) If the Community Corrections program could be expanded, it would save taxpayers by reducing the cost of housing more prisoners
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
(1) Funds need to be provided immediately to start the planning for a new Hamilton County Jail.
(2) The Tennessee State Legislature needs to study the detrimental effects of housing inmates with mental issues who are incarcerated. (In Hamilton County approximately 40% of the inmates are mentally ill.)
(3) The Jury commends Juvenile Court Judge Philyaw for starting a drug court for minors.
(4) The County Deputy who used to sit outside the Grand Jury Room has been replaced by a civilian. Since criminals are present in all areas of the Courts Building, and we have badges that identify us as Grand Jurors, we would feel safer with an armed Deputy outside the door. (The civilian is a friend of Sheriff Hammond.)
(5) The Jury recommends that the State Legislature provide more severe consequences for probation/parole violators, especially sex offenders.
(6) This Grand Jury, as many previous Juries, recommends that low-level misdemeanors be resolved at a level below the Grand Jury.
(7) Individuals with more than three DUI convictions within the past ten years, should face lengthy sentences.
(9) Provisions should be made to permit individuals who are employed, and are in arrears on child support payments, to serve their jail sentences in such a manner so as to permit the individual to be able to continue being employed.
(10) The Jury strongly recommends that a Mental Health Court be established in Hamilton County. This would be similar to the current Drug Court.
(11) Even though hearsay testimony is permissible in the Grand Jury, the “on the scene” officer should present the case to the Jury.`
CASES HEARD THIS TERM
The Regular Grand Jury, serving during the September – December, 2014 Term, heard witnesses testify on 489 cases.