Sheriff: Better pay needed for jailers

Constant personnel turnover is one of three major problems faced in operating the Neshoba County Detention Center, Sheriff Eric Clark told the Board of Supervisors.

The Sheriff is seeking a 9% increase in his proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget for the jail with much of the new monies going to staff pay raises. He presented his proposal last week.

He is asking the Neshoba County Board of Supervisors for $1,525,106 for the new fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. That’s an increase of $139,340 when compared to the current fiscal year budget of $1,385,766.

Keeping an experienced staff to supervise the detention center is a problem.

“Currently, only one of the 20 employees has more than three years of service,” Clark said.

Clark said there have been 16 resignations since he became Sheriff in January 2020. He pointed to low wages as the key issue.

“Our jail employees start at $10 per hour vs. Lauderdale County’s starting wage of $11.38,” Clark said. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, correction officers were considered essential workers and required to report for duty.”

He proposed a pay scale:

• New hire, $11 per hour;

• After six months, 50 cents per hour raise;

• Upon completion of a Jailer Certification, $1 per hour raise;

• After three years, $1 per hour raise;

• After five years, $1 per hour raise;

• Promoted to supervisor, $1 per hour raise.

Clark said other problems include a deteriorating building and overcrowding.

Clark reported problems with the cell doors and locking mechanisms, plumbing, electrical system and air conditioning.

“The walls/floors contain mold and rust due to constant moisture within the building,” Clark said. “Numerous doors/locks have been repaired to the point that they don’t function properly. The average inmate can open the cell doors with a plastic spoon or fork.”

The Neshoba County Detention Center was opened in 1994 as a 66-bed facility.

“We had 95 prisoners over the weekend,” Clark said. “We had people sleeping on the floors. We need to do something to eliminate the potential of a lawsuit.”

Clark believes there are two options:

• Renovating and adding space on to the current facility for an additional 50 beds.

• Building a new 150-bed facility.