Changes promised for Hernando County Jail

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

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Numerous problems, including suicides and escapes, have beset the Hernando County Jail.

For months, the Hernando County Jail has battled issues ranging from inmate suicides to jail breaks to prisoners released in error.

The operator of the jail, Corrections Corporation of America, also has had to deal with three recent suicides and the arrest of a corrections officer for stealing money from inmates.

Hernando County commissioners have been asking CCA officials for some answers.

Prison officials promised commissioners at a Tuesday meeting that the prison will get back on track.

"Facilities have issues from time to time and every issue can be fixed," said Hernando County Jail warden Don Stewart. "It's a matter of dedicating the time and the resources and attention to take care of the problem and I'm going to do that."

Changes the county wants include better employee training, better supervision of high-risk inmates, some contract changes and the hiring of a supervisor who will be the county's eyes and ears.

Hernando County Commissioner Christopher Kingsley said he was pleased with the meeting's outcome.

"I hope everybody sleeps a little better tonight," Kingsley said. "We don't want any more escapes. We don't want any more suicides. We want everything to run the way it's supposed to be."