Conditions at jail prompt exposé from ex-corrections officer
The Barry County Jail at 505 East Street, Cassville, was originally built as a 20-bed facility in 1970, says county presiding commissioner, Gary Youngblood. It’s since been built onto at least twice, he says. Photo by Sheila Harris.
December 8, 2021
Sheila Harris
A corrections officer with the Barry County Jail terminated his employment last week, citing numerous safety issues with the jail facility and lack of respect from the sheriff.
“The jail is a health hazard both to employees and to inmates,” the individual stated in a telephone call to The Barry County Advertiser Wednesday afternoon.
The caller, who moved to this area three years ago to be nearer to family, says conditions in the jail have become so intolerable that he plans to move back to Kansas where he previously held positions with federal prisons after serving in the military.
“There’s black mold growing everywhere in this jail,” he said, “even in the heating vents; the mattresses are old, blankets are in short supply and many prisoners aren’t getting the medical help they need.”
The caller’s particular concern was for prisoners who had mental health issues whose problems weren’t being addressed.
“None of the staff have any training in how to treat those with mental health disorders,” he alleged. “We get passed over for training when it’s available. We keep hearing (better conditions) are coming, but we never see them.”
One of the most egregious things he’s seen, the caller says, is the lack of working fire suppression equipment.
“I’ve tried my best to improve conditions for the prisoners in the three years I’ve worked here,” said the caller, who handled medical assessments and determined cell placement for inmates, “but I’m not getting any support. In fact, I’ve been blamed for some of the problems. I was told when I was hired that ‘we’re all family here,’ but it hasn’t worked out that way.”
He tendered his written notice to Barry County sheriff Danny Boyd, then took his complaints to the county commission meeting, where he alleges he was told by commissioners that the problems at the jail weren’t their business.
When asked, commissioners responded to The Advertiser that they told the caller that personnel matters at the jail weren’t their business.
Sheriff Danny Boyd has no argument with the caller’s accusations of poor conditions at the jail.
“We have let it be known for years that we need a new jail,” he said. “There’s just not much that can be done with this one. We try to bleach down the walls every three weeks or so to kill the black mold, but it keeps coming back. That’s the nature of black mold.
“We’re also short-staffed and our deputies are underpaid compared to surrounding counties and municipalities. That’s been a well-known fact for a while, too,” Boyd added.
In response to the allegation of non-working fire suppression equipment, Boyd says, as of two weeks ago, it’s up and running.
The original portion of the current Barry County Jail was built in 1970 and had a bed-capacity of about 20, Barry County Presiding Commissioner Gary Youngblood said.
“It’s been added on to at least twice since then,” he added.
Even with the additions, the current bed-capacity of 72 does not always provide adequate space, Sheriff Boyd says.
A half-cent sales tax proposal will appear on the April ballot to support law enforcement, says Barry County Presiding Commissioner, Gary Youngblood. Part of that support would be in the form of higher wages, he says.
“It looks as though we’ll be able to build the new jail without placing a bond issue for its construction on the ballot in April,” Youngblood said. “If we can get the 1/2 sales tax for law enforcement, it will free up enough general operating revenue that we won’t need to ask voters to pass a bond issue for a new jail.”
Sheila Harris
A corrections officer with the Barry County Jail terminated his employment last week, citing numerous safety issues with the jail facility and lack of respect from the sheriff.
“The jail is a health hazard both to employees and to inmates,” the individual stated in a telephone call to The Barry County Advertiser Wednesday afternoon.
The caller, who moved to this area three years ago to be nearer to family, says conditions in the jail have become so intolerable that he plans to move back to Kansas where he previously held positions with federal prisons after serving in the military.
“There’s black mold growing everywhere in this jail,” he said, “even in the heating vents; the mattresses are old, blankets are in short supply and many prisoners aren’t getting the medical help they need.”
The caller’s particular concern was for prisoners who had mental health issues whose problems weren’t being addressed.
“None of the staff have any training in how to treat those with mental health disorders,” he alleged. “We get passed over for training when it’s available. We keep hearing (better conditions) are coming, but we never see them.”
One of the most egregious things he’s seen, the caller says, is the lack of working fire suppression equipment.
“I’ve tried my best to improve conditions for the prisoners in the three years I’ve worked here,” said the caller, who handled medical assessments and determined cell placement for inmates, “but I’m not getting any support. In fact, I’ve been blamed for some of the problems. I was told when I was hired that ‘we’re all family here,’ but it hasn’t worked out that way.”
He tendered his written notice to Barry County sheriff Danny Boyd, then took his complaints to the county commission meeting, where he alleges he was told by commissioners that the problems at the jail weren’t their business.
When asked, commissioners responded to The Advertiser that they told the caller that personnel matters at the jail weren’t their business.
Sheriff Danny Boyd has no argument with the caller’s accusations of poor conditions at the jail.
“We have let it be known for years that we need a new jail,” he said. “There’s just not much that can be done with this one. We try to bleach down the walls every three weeks or so to kill the black mold, but it keeps coming back. That’s the nature of black mold.
“We’re also short-staffed and our deputies are underpaid compared to surrounding counties and municipalities. That’s been a well-known fact for a while, too,” Boyd added.
In response to the allegation of non-working fire suppression equipment, Boyd says, as of two weeks ago, it’s up and running.
The original portion of the current Barry County Jail was built in 1970 and had a bed-capacity of about 20, Barry County Presiding Commissioner Gary Youngblood said.
“It’s been added on to at least twice since then,” he added.
Even with the additions, the current bed-capacity of 72 does not always provide adequate space, Sheriff Boyd says.
A half-cent sales tax proposal will appear on the April ballot to support law enforcement, says Barry County Presiding Commissioner, Gary Youngblood. Part of that support would be in the form of higher wages, he says.
“It looks as though we’ll be able to build the new jail without placing a bond issue for its construction on the ballot in April,” Youngblood said. “If we can get the 1/2 sales tax for law enforcement, it will free up enough general operating revenue that we won’t need to ask voters to pass a bond issue for a new jail.”