“He needs to determine whether he is going to be the supervisor, or he’s going to be the sheriff—and right now he doesn’t qualify to be the sheriff.”
—Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis responding to Supervisor Kenny Stokes’ criticism of Lewis’ management of the Raymond Detention Center.
Why it stinks: Sheriff Lewis is right in pointing out that many of the structural deficiencies at the jail precede his election as the county’s top cop in 2011. So while it’s not fair to lay all the blame at Lewis’ feet, it’s his jail now, and he has to answer for any mistakes that happen out there. Given disaster after deadly disaster, Lewis should understand that people are naturally going to raise questions about his own qualifications to be sheriff. Instead of lashing out at Stokes, Lewis should be open and willing to have public conversations about the jail, including with the Jackson Free Press, which could earn back some of the public’s trust—something he is sorely lacking right now.
Previous Comments
With all due respect, Stokes barely qualifies to be a garbage man.
#6088 | Author: js1976 | Date: Apr 21 2014
Most of what the Supervisors wanted, the City Council wanted, and a large majority of the population wanted was a black sheriff, and as you can see black or white, it doesn’t make much difference in the administration of the county jail. It has been a disaster since it opened. The best plan would be to build a new jail with competent, qualified architects and construction crews and not accept it until it has been certified by a national organization as safe, efficient, and humane for correctional purposes. Then, employ officers and crews to maintain it that are dedicated to that facility. Instead, the Supervisors continue to play Mickey Mouse with this dangerous problem to public safety.
#6127 | Author: Turtleread | Date: May 4 2014
