Willo in the News: “State-of-the-art security system coming to county jail”
BY SCOTT CARPENTER
SCARPENTER@THEDIGITALCOURIER.COM
RUTHERFORDTON — Thanks to action taken by the Rutherford County Commissioners at their meeting on Monday, the Rutherford County Detention center (county jail) in Rutherfordton will be made a bit more secure in a few months.
Commissioners approved a request from detention center staff, to fund a “Willo Wedge Door Locking System.” This will cost $389,556, and the funds will come from a state grant the county received in 2023 (in the amount of $10 million), earmarked for jail improvements.
Jails are often known as violent places, despite the best efforts of the staff to keep them safe. Staff have said inmates at the local jail are frequently trying to tear off the locks on the cell doors, and sometimes they are successful
While there haven’t been escapes as a result, it is not unusual for an inmate to break out of his cell, go into another cell and fight with other inmates.
“Inmate fights happen multiple times each year,” said Sgt. Beth Sprouse. “And this can lead to real injuries, for the inmates and the officers. The jail can be a violent, dangerous place, for the staff and the inmates.”
While County Finance Director Paula Roach made the presentation to the County Commissioners, they specifically asked Sprouse if she was in support of the action.
“Yes. It will make it safer for the staff and the inmates,” Sprouse responded.
The new lock system, made by Willo Products Company of Decatur, Alabama, will be installed on the 72 male inmate cells. According to company officials, the system will allow for increased security without the need for disturbing existing construction.
Ryan Childers said in a letter to Sprouse, the lock system was developed several years ago, “… as a result of discussions with corrections officials who were having major problems keeping inmates secured in their cells. The inmates were able to ‘pop’ or ‘sheet’ the lock and exit their cell, many times coming out on staff or other inmates, creating a dangerous situation and resulting in injuries and fatalities. The Wedge has evolved into a unique product that continues to be a solution to issues in our industry.”
The Wedge system is custom manufactured to the existing door, frame, and wall condition insuring a tight fit and eliminating a hiding place for contraband. It includes a tamper alarm, that alerts the officer on the floor when the lock is not deadlocking properly, by giving an audible alarm and flashing light.
Also, the Wedge contains a magnetic door position switch to monitor the position of the door from the control room, so they know the door is securely closed and deadlocked.
Commission Chairman Bryan King says this project is part of a continuing, collaborative effort to improve the operations of the county jail. County Manager Steve Garrison said county staff (Planning and Public Works Director Danny Searcy, Finance Director Paula Roach and their teams), continue to collaborate with Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg and his team, to prioritize the projects to spend the $10 million state grant.
“The overall goal is to expend the funds on priority projects that will improve the safety, efficiency, and overall use of the current detention center,” Garrison stated.
The Daily Courier, 9/8/2024, Vol. 55, No. 98
Used by permission.