Bibb County Sheriff pens letter to mayor, commissioners calling for action on new jail following inmate escape
Bibb County Sheriff David Davis urged Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller and county commissioners Tuesday to prioritize building a new Bibb County Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Center.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Bibb County Sheriff David Davis urged Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller and county commissioners Tuesday to prioritize building a new Bibb County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Center.
The sheriff’s call comes 15 days after four inmates escaped. As of Tuesday night, one of them has been taken back into custody.
In a letter sent to Mayor Miller and Macon-Bibb Commissioners, Davis wrote that poor conditions of the current Bibb County jail complex were a “contributing factor” to the escape, and that the recent escape has brought “a renewed focus to this issue.”
“It has been clear for quite some time that efforts should be undertaken to construct a new jail complex to replace the current antiquated and deteriorating structure,” Davis wrote.
Sheriff Davis expressed his support for including the new jail as a priority in the county’s future planning. He mentioned its potential inclusion on the next SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) ballot.
“This letter is to express my support for your desire to make the building of a new jail a priority as you plan for the future of Macon-Bibb County,” he wrote.
Davis recommended that the county issue an RFP (Request for Proposal) for Professional Services to develop a space needs analysis and a conceptual plan for the new facility.
“This information is a vital component in determining cost projections for a future SPLOST,” Davis added. “I would hope that the commission will take appropriate actions to coordinate the involvement of the Macon-Bibb Procurement office in this process.”
Davis had been outspoken about the need for a new facility even before the October 16 escape. He mentioned in a news conference later that day that the inmates broke out of the oldest, most run down part of the jail.
In addition to the facility conditions, Davis has cited staffing problems as an issue. Less than 10 people were working in the jail in the early morning hours of the October 16 escape, Davis told reporters that day.
Davis wrote in his letter to the mayor and commissioners that his staff will continue to address security and structural issues at the facility in the meantime.
“These continued efforts will of course involve a commitment of funding resources,” he continued. “Working together we can achieve a goal which is essential for the safety of our community.”
