LSJ provides community update

LSJ provides community update Brian Smith Tue, 05/14/2024 - 3:32 pm   Lindsey State Jail Major of Correctional Officers Tommy Slay gives an update on programs at the jail during a community meeting Wednesday, May 1. Photo/Brian Smith Lindsey State Jail Major of Correctional Officers Tommy Slay gave the public an update on what has been going on at the facility Wednesday, May 1. The facility hosts about 1,000 inmates and is trying to be more of a community partner. Slay said Administrative Lieutenant Nathaniel Davis has been speaking to students at Jacksboro High School’s alternative education program and trying to keep them from further problems as a kind of mentor. The talks have worked as students are considering coming to work for the jail upon graduation, Slay said. Other community projects Slay talked about include the Bike It Forward program where inmates with mechanical knowl- edge have been taking old bicycles and refurbishing them. At a recent bicycle rodeo event sponsored by the Jacksboro Police Department, eight of those bicycles were given to kids without one. “It’s been a really good program for both the inmates working on the bikes and the kids,” Slay said. One program Slay took a personal interest in was the Champions Challenge where staff members went to Greystone Park Retirement & Assisted Living and spoke and played games with the residents of the facility. “We met for an hour and it was amazing just to hear the laughter and joy from the residents,” Slay said. Slay said the staff members will rotate monthly and the smiles being brought are “priceless.” Inmates with behavioral or mental issues are working on bringing peace in their lives by raising chickens. The eggs the chickens produce will be going to Concerned Citizens of Jack County, LSJ Warden Brian Collins said. Concerned Citizens acts as a senior center for the county, serving meals and offering activities for county seniors. The Jack County Food Pantry will receive vegetables and herbs provided by the jail as a new garden is being developed. The inmates who work in the garden mow at different areas around the community, including the Lions Club building.