Screven County Sheriff addresses rumors swarming about jail conditions

SCREVEN COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – Screven County Sheriff, Mike Kile, took to Facebook to addresses rumors about the condition of the jail.

This comes after another media outlet received calls about subpar condition at the facility.

In his post he said, “While the jail is not designed to be a luxurious facility it is, after all, a jail, I want to assure you that it provides the necessary care and resources for those housed here.”

Sheriff Kile also wanted to reassure inmate’s families that staffers try to do everything possible to keep both inmates and jail employees healthy and safe.

Read the entire Facebook post below:

Dear Citizens of Screven County,

I wanted to take a moment to address recent concerns that have surfaced regarding the conditions at our county jail. As your Sheriff, transparency and accountability are of utmost importance to me, and I believe it’s necessary to set the record straight.

First and foremost, let me assure you that the Screven County Jail is operated with the safety and well-being of inmates and staff as a top priority. The facility, which opened in 2005, meets all required standards and is regularly inspected to ensure it remains in good condition. While the jail is not designed to be a luxurious facility it is, after all, a jail, I want to assure you that it provides the necessary care and resources for those housed here.

There have been several claims circulating on social media and through word of mouth, and I want to address each one directly:

1) Hot Water and Water Quality:

There have been allegations about the quality of water and a lack of hot water in the jail. These claims are simply untrue. The water provided in the jail is the same as that in any other county building, and any suggestion otherwise is a fabrication. Regarding hot water, while there have been occasional, brief outages due to maintenance, these are resolved as quickly as possible, typically within a day or two.

2) Menstrual Products:

Some have expressed concern that female inmates are being denied menstrual products. I want to clarify that this is not the case. Female inmates have access to menstrual products at all times. If more products are needed, they can request them from our female jailers, who are attentive to their needs.

3) Cell Door Locks and Security:

Another concern was that cell doors do not lock. The fact is that inmates in our facility have a degree of freedom within their cell block, which is a standard practice in many jails. They are not confined to their cells 24/7 but are monitored both by guards making hourly rounds and by 24/7 surveillance.

4) General Conditions and Inmate Care:

Some have suggested that the overall conditions of the jail are substandard. Let me be clear: while the jail is not a hotel, it is maintained to provide a safe and secure environment. The facility is cleaned regularly, and pest control measures are in place. Our staff works diligently to ensure that inmates are treated with respect and provided with the care they need.

I also want to acknowledge that these concerns often arise during election years, a time when misinformation can spread rapidly. I have been your Sheriff for many years, and I’ve always prioritized the well-being of our community, including those in our custody. We work within our means, and while additional funding would always be beneficial, we make the best use of the resources we have to serve Screven County.

To the families of those in our care, please know that we are doing everything within our power to ensure the safety and health of your loved ones. The reality is that no one wants to be in jail, and we certainly do not want to see anyone there. However, the choices that lead individuals to incarceration are theirs to make, and our responsibility is to manage the consequences of those choices with fairness and integrity.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. My door is always open to anyone who has concerns or questions about this or any other matter.

Sincerely,

Sheriff Mike Kile, Screven County Sheriff’s Office

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