Inspectors Praise Improvements at Miller County Jail
By: Mario Boone
Updated: August 26, 2009
Once plagued by scandals and escapes, the Miller County Jail is on the mend under the leadership of Sheriff Ron Stovall. A report from the Arkansas Criminal Detention Facilities Review Committee shows "remarkable" progress at the lockup. Cleanliness, staff training, tightened security measures are all improvements state inspectors cite in the report.
Sheriff Stovall says the report is a boost for staff morale. Stovall says even the attitude of inmates has improved with greater respect shown toward guards. A new maximum security wing has been constructed to house the jail's most violent offenders.
The sheriff says the report isn't a slam dunk since he still has areas of concern to address. The report also highlighted not enough jail guards to staff the pods at all times. Sheriff Stovall says he plans to spend an additional $1 million to fix remaining issues inside the jail.
Sheriff Stovall says the report is a boost for staff morale. Stovall says even the attitude of inmates has improved with greater respect shown toward guards. A new maximum security wing has been constructed to house the jail's most violent offenders.
The sheriff says the report isn't a slam dunk since he still has areas of concern to address. The report also highlighted not enough jail guards to staff the pods at all times. Sheriff Stovall says he plans to spend an additional $1 million to fix remaining issues inside the jail.
