The North Carolina agency responsible for jail inspections issued its latest report on the Vance County Jail on December 15, 2010.
According to County Manager Jerry Ayscue, who presented the report to commissioners during their regular Monday meeting, Vance County Sheriff Peter White is required to respond to the inspection report by January 25, 2011.
The report cited the following issues at he county lockup:
The facility has a capacity of 150 inmates, and can house a maximum of 139 adult males, seven females, and 2 juveniles. On the day the inspection was made, it was holding 175 inmates. 160 were male, twelve were female, and three were juveniles.
The facility’s showers were found to have an accumulation of mildew and soap scum and need to be thoroughly cleaning. According to inspectors, the newly-installed showers do not properly retain water, causing water to spill into inmate areas and stand.
When the capacity for simultaneous release of the electric locks in the female block were tested, there was a door malfunction.
The inspectors found that several keys were difficult to use within inmate areas. Jail officials were encouraged to inspect the keys closely and ensure that the keys open doors without delay in case of a fire.
The elevator was out of order.
Newly re-elected member Tommy Hester asked if overcrowding is an ongoing situation. Ayscue responded that a population of 170 is “a pretty typical number”.
Hester remarked that the county has a “jail that is being overused.”
Member Dan Brummitt indicated that some of the items cited by inspectors were just recently subjects of construction repairs. He asked if they would be covered under warranty. Ayscue responded that they would be covered “one way or another other.”
The commission voted unanimously to receive the report.