State inmates to be used to pick up litter

County officials approved measures to combat litter as Sheriff Eric Clark seeks Department of Corrections approval to use state inmates for roadside litter pickup.

“Litter continues to be a problem in Neshoba County,” Clark said.  

Clark said that he is working with the Neshoba County Board of Supervisors and the Mississippi Department of Corrections to help with an ongoing litter problem in the county. 

'Litter is a problem across the whole state but it always looks worse when it is around home," Clark said.

Clark said that he was working to bring the Neshoba County Detention Center into compliance with MDOC regulations to use state inmates to pick up trash in the county. Clark said that all State, Federal and Local regulations must be met prior to the Commissioner of MDOC Burl Cain granting an approval letter. 

In the meantime, Clark said the supervisors approved a measure Monday to deal with litter.

“I think the board took a pretty strong stance on removing litter from the roadway which is good on their part,” Clark said. “It is good that we are all working to eliminate problems in our community and right now litter is a huge problem.”

County Administrator Jeff Mayo said that the board approved hiring three part-time individuals to assist with litter collection on county roads. The cost over a one year period should not exceed $30,000.00. They will be hired as soon as they can be identified by Road Manager Eddie Posey, who will oversee the program.

Clark said that he is in communicating with MDOC about the potential of using State Inmates. MDOC leadership has listed requirements that Neshoba County must meet to house and work state inmates, Clark said.

“We will continue taking necessary steps in improving Neshoba County Sheriff’s Office and the facilities within its command,” Clark said.

The jail must be inspected by the State Fire Marshall’s Office, which Clark said was done on Oct. 14 and the Mississippi State Department of Health. Clark said that he presented an invoice for an MSDH inspection to the board on Monday and hopes to hear back from them soon.

After the inspections are complete and concerns are addressed an MDOC Compliance Officer inspection will be scheduled. At that time the board will issue a Memorandum of Understanding between MDOC and Neshoba County Detention Center.