Sheriff’s report: revenue, DeKalb County inmate housing and inmate-made blankets highlighted

At the law enforcement and public safety portion of the meeting, the sheriff’s office reported on fees, inmate housing and programs in the county jail.

The sheriff reported fee and revenue figures for April, saying: “on the sheriff fees, we took in $38.17 and 10¢. On a comp fee, it was $1.88. Phone was $33,154.97.” The sheriff also said cash bonds were down to $23,000 for April and that the county has been housing some inmates from DeKalb County while that jurisdiction addresses mandated changes.

The report said the county received $25,784 for inmate housing for January and February. The sheriff noted work crews were shut down for two weeks, limiting community labor activities that normally involve inmates.

The sheriff described a volunteer-led crochet program for female inmates that produced lap blankets and larger blankets intended for donation to nursing homes and to Tennessee Oncology for cancer patients. “They were extremely happy that they they learned, 1, a lot of skill, 2, knowing that they're giving back,” the sheriff said. The sheriff also said volunteers — including church members — regularly teach and support programs inside the jail and that the jail sees “over a hundred and something volunteers” weekly.

The item was presented as the sheriff’s regular report; no formal motions or funding decisions were recorded in the transcript. Committee members had no follow-up questions recorded in the meeting record.