ANDERSON — The Madison County Jail is facing a “powder keg” with a low-functioning air conditioner and overcapacity that sees 40 people sleeping on the floor each night.
Sheriff Scott Mellinger asked the Madison County Council, which met Tuesday, for money to hire four part-time jail employees to help cover the overcrowded jail and bring the facility in to line with the most recent state recommendation for staffing.
“It’s indescribable the number of inmates with mental illness and addiction,” Mellinger said, which further explains the need for more guards. “This is something that is way overdue; every day is a powder keg.”
The four new employees would allow for a minimum of two employees at a time in each control room, the sheriff said.
Judy Buckles, Anderson, urged the council to do anything that was needed to help ensure officers remain safe while working in the jail, especially with heat that Mellinger said hovered in the mid 80s thought the cellblocks.
“I love the police and I don’t want to put them in jeopardy,” she said, choking back tears. “With heat, that temperature in the office, tempers can get bad. Imagine in jail. Please give them the money.”
After discussing whether to wait a month and move the matter to the county’s personnel board, the council voted unanimously to give Mellinger $81,000 to hire the four employees. The money will come from the general fund.
Property manager Denny Williamson also asked the council to transfer $80,000 from the rainy day fund to purchase and install compressors in the jail to allow the air conditioner to work better and to pay expenses.
“We have to have that money to pay bills,” Williamson said.
The council voted unanimously to approve the transfer after urging Williamson to work to incorporate big-ticket items that are expected into the yearly budget.