Adams County supervisors close public out of discussions about jail conditions

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Adams County supervisors closed the public out of discussions today about the conditions of the county jail.

“It’s a mess. We know that,” county board President Wes Middleton said of the 47-year-old detention center that’s endured various structural problems and poor conditions for incarcerated inmates in recent years.

Board attorney Scott Slover told supervisors they can legally hold the closed-door meeting to hear a jail consultant’s report because it pertained to jail security and jail conditions that could expose the county to lawsuits.

State law specifies that a government board can bar the general public from meetings to discuss “security personnel, plans or devices.” They can also hold closed-door “strategy sessions” related to potential or active lawsuits if an open meeting has “a detrimental effect on the litigating position of” the board.

In today’s closed session, jail consultant Kathryn Bryan gave the five Adams County supervisors a breakdown of the various safety and security defects at the jail, Middleton said after the meeting.

He noted no decisions were made as supervisors continue to ponder what to do about the jail that’s vexed them for several years.

“We still have options. We’re trying to figure it out,” he said.

The building – located on the corner of State and Wall streets by the Adams County Courthouse – has been the subject of lawsuits and court orders for improvements to be made.

Built in 1975, the jail is considered substandard with various structural problems in recent years that include an inoperable air conditioner, leaky roof, mold, crumbling exterior bricks and malfunctioning cell locks, according to reports presented to county supervisors. Electrical problems and water leaks have also been recently reported as inmates are tearing up jail fixtures.

Various questions that need answered include how extensive the current jail defects are, whether it can be rehabilitated or should be replaced, how much a new jail would cost to build, how it would be funded and where it should be located.

Another option could be for the county to not have a jail and contract with another to house county inmates. Natchez has contracted with the Adams County jail to detain city inmates.