CHATSWORTH — As dozens of Murray County residents, public officials and others streamed into the new Murray County jail, Sheriff Gary Langford said the $11 million facility is still a few months away from being used to house inmates.
Langford, Sole Commissioner Brittany Pittman and Clerk of Court Donna Flood — all of whom took office in January — were at the jail Friday as part of a public meet-and-greet event for residents to both see the jail and meet them.
The new jail has been sitting unused since it was constructed in 2009 after previous administrations said there wasn’t enough money to staff it. Langford and Pittman have since said they were able to work together to come up with creative ways to move money around and get the facility opened. Several new jailers will be trained this month in a two-week course, and the facility should house inmates by June, Langford said.
Chatsworth resident Katherine Baggett, who toured the facility with daughter-in-law Cheryl Baggett, said she thought the new jail area is “awesome,” though she laughed that it wasn’t impressive enough for her to want an overnight stay.
Pittman said she hopes the opening of the new jail marks the first of many positive events for the community this year. The sheriff’s office has come under scrutiny in recent months since at least one officer admitted to lying during a Georgia Bureau of Investigation inquiry into an arrest following allegations of misconduct concerning a now former magistrate judge. That judge, Bryant Cochran, has denied any wrongdoing, and the investigation is ongoing.
“I think this is just another step in that direction to show people we are ready to move forward,” Pittman said.
Several residents who toured the new jail said they were impressed with what they saw. The current jail, next door, was at 123 inmates, three individuals over capacity, on Friday, but it’s been several dozen over capacity before. Officials hope to eventually renovate it though it’s unclear when that will happen. The new jail can hold 160 inmates.
“I think it’s much needed,” said Ben Ridley, a Dalton resident who said he is interested in one day working for the sheriff.
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Murray County Sole Commissioner Brittany Pittman and Sheriff Gary Langford speak with Superior Court Judge David Blevins at the Murray County jail in Chatsworth Friday. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
Discussion
March 2, 2013
Dozens flock to new Murray jail
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Police and Fire Games: Dalton firefighter snags second place
Mason Martin, back right, cheers on his mother, Serena Martin, an officer with the Dalton Police Department, as she pushes a patrol car as part of an obstacle course to determine the “Toughest Overall” during the Georgia Police and Fire Games on Monday at the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Department’s firing range. (Misty Watson/The Daily Citizen)
A seasoned Dalton firefighter placed second in the Toughest Overall Competitor event at the Police and Fire Games in Dalton on Monday.
Continued ... - County school board expected to approve budget Wednesday morning
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