MAURY INMATES MUST WORK DRUG FREE

Those In Work Release Pay $20 For Own Testing

COLUMBIA, Tenn. -- Every day, about two dozen inmates leave the Maury
County Jail for jobs they hold through the Sheriff's Department's
work-release program. Now, Sheriff Enoch George and Chief Deputy Ashley
Brown have put in place a new policy that they say will ensure the public's
safety from inmates in the program.

"Before a person is allowed to go out on work release, he must pay $20 to
be drug tested," Brown said. "We think that will make people responsible
for their acts.

"And we also think it's a policy that will benefit the community."

Circuit Court Judge Stella Hargrove agreed.

"I'm comfortable with it," she said. "It has always been our policy to have
the sheriff set the rules on work release, and we tell the offenders they
have to abide by the rules."

About 25 of the jail's 165-200 inmates regularly participate in the
work-release program, Brown said.

Each of those inmates, whose work release is authorized by a Circuit Court
judge, pays $15 a day to the county general fund for the privilege of being
able to get out and work. They must all return to the jail to spend the night.

The majority are serving time for misdemeanor crimes such as public
intoxication or failure to pay child support, he said.

Those on work release may have industry or construction jobs; others may
work in restaurants, Brown said.

"They love work release because it allows them to get out of here for a
little while and make money to pay their court costs and restitutions," he
said.

"But I'm sure some won't like this new policy because if they come up hot,
or positive, for drugs, they won't be eligible to go out until their system
is clear.

"But the public should like it."