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Claiborne County sheriff seeks commissary contract as board demands required rules and paperwork
Summary
Sheriff Goodes pressed the board to sign a private commissary contract for the county jail, saying materials were provided two months earlier; several supervisors insisted the sheriff deliver written rules and regulations (per statute 19‑3‑801) and supporting documentation before the board would authorize final contract signatures.
Sheriff Goodes asked the Claiborne County Board of Supervisors July 21 to authorize a private company to provide commissary services to inmates and for the board president to sign the contract. Goodes said the jail and the vendor have completed required preparations and that he provided contract materials "two months ago," urging the board to approve the agreement now so the vendor could begin installation and service within the 30–45 day implementation window he described.
Multiple supervisors said they would not sign off until they had copies of the sheriff's rules and regulations for commissary operations and written evidence the county's required processes were in place. County counsel read language from the statute the sheriff cited (referred to in the meeting as a statute in the 19‑3‑801 series), noting the law requires the sheriff to adopt rules governing the letting of commissary contracts, collection and distribution of commissary items, and a special inmate trust fund.
The board amended a motion so the sheriff could proceed with the contract subject to submission of the requested rules, regulations and supporting documentation to the board and the county attorney for review. Sheriff Goodes said he would provide the requested materials by the next meeting; one supervisor cast a conditional opposing vote pending receipt and review of the documents. The vote resulted in conditional approval to move forward but withheld unconditional signature until paperwork is verified.
The sheriff also sought and won board approval to hire Anita (Benita/Anita) Blake as a part‑time deputy at $12 per hour; the hiring motion passed without the same level of controversy as the commissary contract.
The board discussed related jail upgrades, contract timing and the statutory requirement that commissary funds be held in a designated inmate commissary trust fund managed by the county treasurer. Several supervisors emphasized that, while they were not opposed in principle to the contract, they must have the written rules and financial controls in hand before authorizing final signatures.
The board directed the sheriff to submit his rules and the vendor’s contract documents to Attorney Stingley and the board packet prior to final approval. If the sheriff delivers the documents as promised, the board indicated it would consider formal signature at the next meeting.
