A final report from the Regular Grand Jury said it was found that both the mens and womens sections of the Silverdale Dentention are overcrowded.
The panel, headed by Jimmy Anderson, also found the facility to be understaffed.
The Grand Jury praised the programs operated by county Community Corrections, including the litter pickup effort.
The report says the program has high tech equipment to help enforce rules for its clients.
Here is the full report as given to Judge Barry Steelman:
Judge Steelman:
The Regular Grand Jury for the May-August, 2019 term presents the following report:
We the Regular Grand Jury count it an honor and a privilege to serve our community. We have gained a new outlook on the judicial process which includes those who serve in law enforcement and the entire court system.
This report will describe and give details on the opinions, concerns, and thoughts of the members of this jury. We are a diverse group. However, we all had one common goal, and that was to work together as one to make the best and most fair conclusions. Although a little disheartening, it was quite an eye-opening experience in regards to the crimes being committed in Hamilton County. The responsibilities of the officers working to protect and serve our community go for beyond issuing a ticket or making an arrest. While the situations are not the best the care and concern that the officers have for the general public was very refreshing. To hear the words of judges Greenholtz, Steelman, and Poole, about their struggles to be fair, to attempt to rehabilitate rather to detain, to make the best decisions based on law but most beneficial for each individual shows the sincerity of their hearts.
We had the opportunity to tour Silverdale Detention Facility(Core Civic), the Juvenile Detention Center, and Hamilton County Jail which was indeed an unforgettable experience. Although necessary, to see those behind bars, to walk behind the gates, to hear both inmate, and civilian live and work in the same place yet have different outlooks.
Tours and observations
Silverdale Detention Center
There is a need for a separate arrival and departure rooms for the transfer of inmates.
There is overcrowding in both the men and womens housing area.
The facility was clean.
It was obvious that this facility is understaffed
Community Corrections
Community Corrections has four impressive programs to offer nonviolent offenders in place of incarceration. These not only provide alternative, but at lower cost.
Community Corrections is for both felony and misdemeanor offenders. Felony CC is funded by the state of TN, while misdemeanor CC is funded by Hamilton County. They have high tech devices to enforce their rules and guidelines, including GPS monitoring devices, ignition interlock devices, remote breathalyzer tests with facial recognition, and transdermal bracelets.
They also the litter grant program, which is a trash collection along the highways.
Another great benefit is the taxpayer savings.
We conclude this report, with our heartfelt, warmest thank to Mr. Jerry Sloan .He explain each case, each charge, and gave needed insight regarding the law .We would also like thank Mr. Jimmy Anderson. Without his guidance, this would have been lost.
During this term, 565 cases were presented to the Regular Grand jury. The Grand Jury returned 442 true bills ,63 presentments, and 60 no bills.