GIBSON CO RESIDENTS DESERVE CRIME-FREE JAIL

It's one thing to have criminals in jail, they belong there. But
crime in jail is something different. Gibson County residents should
be outraged by news of illegal drug activity in the Gibson County
Correctional Complex. Fortunately, a crack down has begun. It should
continue until all signs of illegal drug activity are removed from the jail.

A county mechanic and two inmates were charged Tuesday with various
illegal drug crimes involving introducing drugs into the jail
complex. Later in the week, a third inmate was charged with
possession of illegal drugs in the jail. The arrests came following
an investigation and thorough searching of inmates. Gibson County
Sheriff Chuck Arnold said jail and inmate searches would continue.

The mechanic and the first two inmates arrested were charged with
scheming to introduce illegal drugs into the jail. Investigators
believe the later arrest was unrelated to the scheme.

Clearly, more aggressive jail searches and tougher screening of
inmates allowed to work outside the jail are in order. The public
cannot tolerate a jail environment that is no less a criminal
environment than the streets and crack houses. Keeping the jail drug
free and crime free must be the first order of business for the
sheriff. He is the jail's boss and overseer. That a county employee
is implicated in the scheme to get drugs into the jail is disturbing.
If he is convicted, he deserves an especially tough sentence for
violating the public trust.

The investigation and arrests shake public confidence in county law
enforcement. How long has this been going on? What other drugs and
crimes can be found in the jail. What are the rules for managing the
jail? The best way to clear the air is for the sheriff to conduct a
complete review of jail procedures and report his answers and plans
to the community.