Keeping An Eye On Trustees Out On Work Details

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Calhoun County captured escapee, took off while he was out on a work detail.

Sheriff Greg Pollan says trustees escaping while out on a work detail is rare, but it does happen from time to time.

Pollan says even trustees still have to be constantly watched when they’re out on work details.

Pollan tells WCBI there are measures put in place to prevent trustees escaping while out working.

He also says supervisors are always around.

“If they’re working for one of the towns, or the solid wastes, they’re being supervised, but sometimes, unfortunately, obviously, that’s what happened this past week, the supervision fell short and he saw a small window and he took advantage of it and walked off from his work details.”

Calhoun County Sheriff Greg Pollan says this is the second or third time something like has happened in his six years as sheriff.

“It happens and it depends on the inmates. Depends on what they’re here for, or if they get an opportunity to experience freedom for a few, they’ll take it. So, it’s a constant, vigilant thing that you have to stay on top of them.”

Supervision is harder on some work details than others.

Pollan says that’s the case on a garbage detail because inmates are on and off the truck, out in the general public, and have access to many things.

“They have phones in the jail, here, and they can call and tell family members, you know, I’m going to be on so and so truck tomorrow, so we have to constantly move them around, shuffle them around, so they don’t get in a routine. Anything that we can do to bust up the routine of them being in a certain area of a certain day.”

The sheriff says although trustees have more freedom than other inmates, they’re still behind bars for breaking the law.

“At the same time, you know, you have to remember, they are prisoners, they are inmates, and they’re here for a reason, and you just can’t let them take advantage of you, because if you give them a quarter of an inch, they will take 100 miles.”

Pollan says trustees who run, face additional time to their sentences.

He also says if anyone helps the trustee escape, then they can also face the same penalty as the escapee.