Tuesday, August 31, 1999
Butler sheriff folds his jail tent
It'll be kept in case of future need
BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
HAMILTON — Butler County Sheriff Harold Don Gabbard's tent jail experiment ended Monday as about six inmates took down the tent that housed prisoners for five weeks.
But that doesn't mean the tent won't make an encore appearance.
“You'll see it again this year if need be,” Sheriff Gabbard said. “It was very useful. If an emergency arises, it only takes about a half-hour to put it up.”
The Army surplus tent, set up in a courtyard at minimum-security Resolutions in Hamilton, eased a chronic lack of jail space. It was expected to come down in late August, and the sheriff said because the jail population is a bit lower, removing the tent was feasible.
About 190 prisoners were in the jail Monday, but there were 218 when the tent went up. Just more than 400 inmates spent some time in the tent, Sheriff Gabbard said. It averaged about 13 prisoners a day.
“Most of the inmates like it,” said Chief Deputy Richard Jones. “It beats being inside.” The jail is not air conditioned.
Capt. Norm Lewis, jail warden, said he wasn't aware of any inmate complaints about the tent jail.
One side benefit of using the tent: the county saved a significant amount because it did not have to pay other counties to house prisoners. It cost about $7,400 to put inmates in the tent jail, while it would have cost $24,000 to house them in other counties, the sheriff said.
“I can't see spending all that money somewhere else,” he said. “If we can handle the problem ourselves, I wouldn't feel right.”
The tent did raise some eyebrows at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, prompting letters between Sheriff Gabbard and state officials. The Enquirer obtained the letters Monday.
On Aug. 18, Deb Stewart, acting administrator of the Bureau of Adult Detention, wrote that the tent likely won't meet state minimum standards. She also wrote that state law requires approval of any “major renovations or new construction of jails,” with plans submitted to the Bureau.
The sheriff disagreed in an Aug. 24 letter.
“It is our opinion that the tent jail experiment fits neither the category of a major renovation to an existing facility, or new jail construction,” he wrote. “ ... This tent jail was never to be considered as permanent housing for inmates.”
The sheriff wanted to set up a tent jail last summer, but couldn't get permission from the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. This year he set up the tent without seeking state approval.
Hamilton fire officials noted several minor code violations at the tent in mid-August. They said the inspection was prompted by a call from someone at the state level.
None of the violations posed a danger to those in the tent, and most were fixed.
“We met all the standards as far as I'm concerned,” Sheriff Gabbard said. “If I have to put it back up, that'll be my idea, too. I feel I'm doing nothing wrong.”
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