Meredith was absolutely right on the numbers, but... | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: Political discourse is the hallmark of America's political system, which, along with the adherence to our Constitution, is our last best chance to remain a free People. Beaufort County NOW is proud to have the capacity to provide a platform to such discourse, and we thank the candidates and our readership for participating, and aiding in our ability to do so.

    It takes two to tango, or is to tangle? Anyway, the opponent's post can be found here.

    I spoke at the March 10, 2014 County Commissioner's to present what I learned by talking to staff in a number of jails in eastern North Carolina. The message I delivered to the Commissioners, based on my research, is that there is in fact an excess of jail beds in counties near Beaufort County. The numbers I was provided from Pitt County were not precisely correct. The jail staff I spoke with from Pitt County, or myself, accidentally transposed two of the numbers making it appear 369 beds greater than it is. One of my opponents in the Sheriff's race has challenged these numbers, and he is entirely correct. The numbers are not precisely accurate, but those numbers were only to show Pitt County could handle any influx of prisoners Beaufort County might have, that still rings true, Pitt County can with approx 130 beds empty.

    The issue here is whether there is an excess of inmate beds in eastern North Carolina. There is and even the numbers my opponent cites verifies this. The exact number I do not know, it changes daily I'm sure. But I do know that any over population in our jail can be contracted out to a number of different jails in the region without a problem. There is in fact an abundance of excess beds.

    So what I said I stand by. Beaufort County is not likely to get enough prisoners from other counties or State to cover the excess cost of building a new jail in Beaufort County. Argue about the exact numbers all you want, the fact is that Beaufort County will not be able to justify building the slated jail complex through rental.

    Just north-west of Mt. Airy, NC sits River North Correctional Center in Grayson County. A 1,024 bed complex built 3 years ago at a cost of over $100 million dollars sat empty at a cost of $700,000 a year to tax payers; "it's costing more than $700,000 a year to maintain. A half-dozen employees work there, keeping the heat on in the winter to prevent the pipes from freezing, the air-conditioning on in summer to prevent mold from growing". WASHINGTON POST, May 30, 2011, can be found online: www.washingtonpost.com.

    They did finally open Oct. 2013 and are at approx 80% capacity. The Watch Commander that I spoke to (03/29/14; (276) 773-2518) stated that is a State prison but could not tell me what percentage is rented out, if any. I was referred to VA DOC in Richmond.

    Let's look at what will ultimately happen if space was rented to the State or Feds. Beaufort County would see inmates coming from high crime areas such as Washington DC, Chicago, and others. These inmates will have families and friends that may very well move to our county, moving in beside us, bringing with them a criminal element not yet seen in Beaufort County. We have a crime problem now due to failed policies; I see no need in inviting crime to live with us.

    The end message is the same; Beaufort County does not need to build a jail in this low economic climate. We need businesses to move in, not inmates. The issues with our jail have been corrected and were caused ultimately by poor management by the Sheriff and former Chief Deputy Meredith. The over-crowding issue doesn't hold water. Inmates over our limit can, and should be, moved to Pitt or another facility. The only reason that hasn't been done in the past is to give the administration something to complain about; the same way they handled property crimes by sending out letters instead of investigators.

    I assure the public and the commissioners that I take being professional and honest seriously. I have made my career and my life based on those two elements. I have stated before that I will NOT stoop to the level we've seen in the past from that Office. The information you receive from me or the Sheriff's Office will be truthful and accurate, not the game playing we've seen from Meredith. This is why I welcome a civilian oversight committee, I have nothing to hide.

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