SHERIFF SAYS HE NEEDS 10 MORE OFFICERS FOR JAIL

Understaffing at the McMinn County Justice Center could jeopardize the
jail's certification, a state inspector told the County Commission on
Monday.

An unofficial staffing analysis of the jail conducted in May revealed
the need for 94 correctional officers, Barry Suttles of the Tennessee
Corrections Institute said.

Currently, 21 officers man the jail.

At least 10 new officers should be hired to help offset the staffing
needs, Suttles said.

That would cost the county an estimated $275,000, Sheriff Steve
Frisbie said.

"I need to get your attention," Frisbie told the Commission. "I'm
needing resources."

Commissioners questioned Suttles' unofficial staffing report - which
factored in medical leave, bereavement time and military deployment
for officers.

"Don't we want to run a jail on reality and not on statistics?"
Commissioner Owen Vincent asked. "It seems you are trying to overload
the wagon a little bit."

Frisbie argued the staffing problems at the jail have been
longstanding. When Frisbie took office 10 years ago, he said 70
inmates were housed at the jail. Now the population has swelled to
nearly 200.

The sheriff said he was not invited to Budget Committee hearings last
summer to address the staffing needs, which is why he chose to address
the Commission on Monday. Commissioner Jack Powers said all county
departments were notified of hearings.

"We gave you the opportunity to come back and say this is what needed
to be done," Powers said.

Frisbie's staffing request drew large media attention from Chattanooga
television stations.

"Don't bring TV cameras in here just to embarrass us," Commissioner
Roger Masingale said.

Frisbie maintained he did not request the media attention.

"I'm just wanting someone to know that I need help out there," the
sheriff explained.

Commissioner Gary Mason said he isn't surprised the Sheriff's
Department needs more manpower. He is shocked, however, that the
sheriff's greatest need was in the jail.

With the growing methamphetamine problem in McMinn County, Mason
expected the sheriff to call for more patrol officers.

"The jail has caught us off guard," Mason said.

Patrol officers are also "stretched thin," Frisbie
said.

Methamphetamine has reached epidemic proportions, according to the
sheriff.

More than 180 methamphetamine-related arrests have been made in McMinn
County this year. Currently, 32 people are still incarcerated on
methamphetamine charges.

"We have some that bond out and are buying chemicals on the way home
to make another batch," Frisbie said.

McMinn County residents are also noticing the growing methamphetamine
problem.

One McMinn County citizen - who commissioners asked not be identified
in order to maintain her safety - said methamphetamine in her
neighborhood has caused her serious health problems.

"I moved here 30 years ago to escape drugs," she told commissioners on
Monday. "I can't live like this."

Chief Deputy Tim Smith said several arrests have been made in the
woman's neighborhood.

"I'm sure they are doing the best they can with what they've got," the
woman said. "But it's not enough."

That is why staffing needs at the McMinn County Sheriff's Department
need to be addressed, Frisbie said.

Still, funding is an issue.

Commission Chairman David Crews questioned if Frisbie would support a
tax increase in order to fund the Sheriff Department's needs.

"That's up to you," Frisbie said in regards to a possible tax
increase. "I'm just a department head."

Suttles said the Commission needs to commit to adding more staff to
the jail by Dec. 9, when he will make a report to the Tennessee
Corrections Institute.

If the Commission does not address the staffing needs, Suttles said
the county could lose out on future grants and face grave liability
issues.

Powers said the Commission will take the staffing request "under deep
consideration."