Bugs in county jail not being treated in right way
22 days ago | 263 views | 8 8 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Editor:

My grandson did wrong and is in the Sevier County jail annex. We have learned that he has been infected with the little bugs that sometimes show up in this type environment.

My concern is not that the problem came up, but that the inmates treated for the problem approximately three to four weeks ago at their own expense, at what I believe to be excessive cost due to them being a captive audience, still have the problem.

Why hasn’t the cause been taken care of. Clean the areas from top to bottom, use Lysol usually, then follow up on the cleaning.

Now they sell the ointment for a one-time use evidently, then send them back to get infected again. I personally call this cruel and unusual punishment. If they don’t eliminate the cause, how do they expect to eliminate the problem?

My grandson had been incarcerated several months before the little bugs got to him, so he did not bring the problem into the facility. I would like to know if Sheriff Seals knows about the problem, and if he does, why hasn’t he done something about it?

I tried to talk to the sheriff, but can never get him when I call. I did talk to the lieutenant over the annex when the problem started and got nowhere.

About a week ago I called the Sevier County Health Department and was told by a nurse there that she would talk to the nurse at the annex about it and notify the CDC. As of Oct. 25, there doesn’t seem to be any action taken. The cost by the way, according to my grandson, for enough ointment to treat the affected area is $10.

Yes, if they did the crime they should do the time, but doesn’t this come under cruel and unusual punishment? The bites lead to excessive scratching which leads to broken skin which leads to infections which causes staph infections. Yes, they gave up their freedom when they committed the crimes, but should they be subjected to this inhumane treatment?

I want this letter to get somebody’s attention. My wife and I love our grandson and he has to learn his lesson, but we don’t want to see his health put at risk nor do we want to see any of the other inmates not be protected from or treated for any condition.

Ed Trenholm

Sevierville

similar stories

United Way of Sevier County to benefit from Taste of Autumn | 2 months ago

Newlyweds charged with robbing chapel | 1 month ago

Innocence voiced in letter; Zlobec denies DUI, says he fell asleep at the wheel | 2 months ago

Love it or hate it, rod run something to experience at least once in life | 2 months ago

Arrests Oct. 25, 2009 | 25 days ago

comments (8)
« Reality Check wrote on Friday, Oct 30 at 12:36 PM »
Intelligence is limited, however stupidity knows no limits.

Stupidity is also explainable whereas repeatable incorrigible stupidity is boarder line insanity.

Our jails are just full of stupid people but the insane ones are granted freedom.
« anonymous wrote on Friday, Oct 30 at 09:59 AM »
The title of the letter suggests the bugs are being abused.
« Counter Point wrote on Thursday, Oct 29 at 03:01 PM »
Change in the political structure will welcomed by all in Sevier County. I just fail to see how that can be matriculated by obscene and incendiary political rhetoric coming from prior election losers and convicted criminals.

« Reality Check wrote on Thursday, Oct 29 at 01:32 PM »
I do believe the ballot box was intended to be the point for settlement of political differences as intended by our founding fathers.

The last election settled many political differences as will the next one as well.

If it was not to your liking it should still be respected.

The political process is open to all, even past sore losers. That is one thing this country is still good for, at least for the time being.

« SteelMagnolia wrote on Thursday, Oct 29 at 01:31 PM »
If you keep a dog in such unsanitary conditions as described, one would go to jail for cruelty to animals. I dare say, that kind of abuse puts our law enforcement officials in a more lowly position than the inmates. We can decline to the level of a third world country and ignore suffering, or we can be citizens of the greatest country in the world and stop it. The deliberate failure to rectify this situation is an abomination. You are exacly right Zach, the voting booths are waiting! There have been too many reports about the horrendous goings on in the Sevier County jails.
« zach w. wrote on Thursday, Oct 29 at 12:38 PM »
You want to get someone's attention in this matter? It's called the voting booth in November. This regime has been in too long.
« Reality Check wrote on Thursday, Oct 29 at 08:32 AM »
The Sevier County Jails are certified under the guidelines of the Tennessee Department of Inspections in Nashville.

Any and all complaints should be directed to them accordingly.

This cheap, mud slinging, political posturing against Sheriff Seals is absurd, unconscionable and very obvious!
« tnlady37862 wrote on Thursday, Oct 29 at 07:43 AM »
Excuse me Reality Check , But the raising at home has nothing at all with a person being in jail. Some times its being in the wrong place at the wrong time, sometimes its something u actually did and the we have the case of false imprisonment, caused by somebody telling a lie and it standing. But it doesnt matter what the person is in jail for, they are still human and needs to be treated as such. Punishment has nothing to do with protecting the person from diseases caused by whatever. And as far as talking to mr seals, good luck. seems if a problem arises, he cant be found and the others just tell whatever to bandaid the sore..