Posted by SEAN (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 12:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

OMG! come on CCSO. an inmate climbs the fence of the exercise yard at the county jail? that could happen. true. but then how on God's green earth could he go to a local, and ask for a ride to mobile and no red flags thrown? are these inmates wearing street clothes now? i know the 2 times i was there i had to wear an orange jumpsuit and sometimes a black and white striped jump suit. So...the story is....an inmate in ccj uniform who has been injured (has to have blood on him) just walks up to a stranger with no money and says hey i need a ride to Mobile, and this good samaritan just goes with the flow and gives him a ride? Only a fool with absolutely no common since could believe that. i too, would like to thank the ccso. thank you. you do a wonderful job. you allow inmates to escape on a regular basis. then lie about it. there are cameras on that exercise yard also there is "supposed" to be a guard out there. i don't care what you say, nobody can miss someone climbing a fence that tall. nobody. can you say "TERMINATION"?
this entire story is bogus. you guys should be ashamed.

Posted by rabbit2300 (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 3:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

they have a hard time keeping county inmates. who really thought they could keep federal inmates.

Posted by nurse (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Seriosly. I heard that he cut a hole in the fence. I hadn't heard that he climbed it. And, I also heard that he had money and a cellphone. It could be just gossip, but somewhere, somehow the truth has to come out.

Posted by patwilliam (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeppers, our hard earned money at work here. I can't understand how an inmate can escape. Aren't there supposed to be guards 24-7? And yes, I think they are supposed to wear prison uniforms, not street clothes, and cell phone are a nono or should be, but obviously it all goes back to who you are and who you know and who you narc on....I dunno, just the whole jail system anymore seems to be a big joke, and guess what guys, the JOKES ON US! Inmates have it better than a lot of us, and they pretty much do whatever they want to do, maybe not all of them, but I know some do, and when they get out, hey, let's do it all again....never learn their lessons!

Posted by truebeliever (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Something really dont add up with all that, really, if someone comes up to you bleeding and hurt, no money with some B/S story about being robbed, some stranger that dont even know them is just going to hop to it and take them 120 miles away on their on time and gas?...mmm..no way!..thats one more coverup at covington county SD. and then they announce it, and try to make people believe it..lol, this is all AFTER he just scales a fence while no one is watching. ..I think the state needs to investigate .

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I know someone who served time in that jail. I remember when he got out, I asked him had he learned his lesson.He told me the Covington county jail was the best jail he had ever been in. This guy is not an upstanding member of the community.

Posted by StabbingWestward (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What you all must know are some facts:
They have 24/7 to think about how to get out.

Look at the officers pay....could you live on $225 a week or would you if you were a high quality worker?

Look at the commission...maybe the jail needs repairs that would have stopped this escape but the maintanance department gets by doing as little and as cheap as possible.

Or maybe certain officers on duty have been involved in more then one escape and no one has thought to inquire how this happens so often.

Here nor there, negligence....could be
Lucky circumstances for the inmate....maybe
County Commission cheap and doesn't realize you pay for what you get......oh yes

The simple fact is he did get a ride to mobile from a county citizen...he didn't walk to mobile in 3 hours so thank your community as well. Face it, it's not the departments fault alone, but the entire community not caring about anyone but themselves. You shouldn't rush to judge on things before you know all the facts. I personally think it is a combination of all the things mentioned. To fix the problem, Pay your guards more then a burger flipper so you get QUALITY help, Get the Commissions HEad out of their behinds to FIX the jail, and get the community to look out for others as well as themselves. Thank you for taking the time to read one mans opinion.

Posted by patwilliam (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Uhmmm, I thought this jail was a "new" jail, and had been reconstructed or whatever to house inmates and to prevent escapes. Yeah, it's all about who you are and who you know....some things never change, and yes, a citizen gave him a ride to Mobile, "maybe this was prearranged", did anyone think of that....yeppers, they have 24-7 to think about escaping, but also the visitation of prisoners is so lax that they can plan their escapes and speak with coconspirators about how to do it, and duh, no one is the wiser....it's just such a shame that the justice system is such a joke!

Posted by StabbingWestward (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No it was not "reconstructed" for the feds. A $300,000 Plastic shell was put up for work release inmates. No changes were made from my source. Visitation for information, you can't have 10 officers stand beside each inmate and listen to them so not much can be done on that theory. Cell phones in a jail.....Quite easy to get with a little money offered to a low paid officer I am sure. think back as well, just like when an escape happens and you get bad feedback from the community saying the jail is too lenient, I also hear on other subjects how "The Jail treats them like animals" and "Tasers are cruel to use" What you don't hear is stuff like "An officer stopped a mentally disturbed inmate from a suicide attempt" and you don't hear how jail staff go out of the way to try and help the inmates by using what little bit of their own money to buy them Soft drinks one night. Most people just like to complain. It is more interesting to talk bad about people who are easy targets for the public eye. You also don't hear about things like Charles Pierce's escape was from ANDALUSIA CITY POLICE STATION, you saw in the paper escaped from jail, or Conswala Bolden escapes jail hits the paper when the court sister gave her a 2 day pass for signing a plea and she left while on pass. It's easy to blame the Jail or Sheriff Department, but sometimes......not every time........it isn't them. This last cause, I won't deny part was negligence on the jail......but it is a jail.....people in jail want out........Always has been, always will be this way....Thank God they don't use the Ol' Dynamite to blow the bars out trick.....

Posted by truebeliever (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No matter if you are a "Burger flipper at Mcdonalds" or a Guard for the sheriff dept...you do your job!.. If you apply and get hired for a job you know what the job pays, plus what your job duties are, so as i stated in an post about something else, dont pick your duties do them all!
This guy should have been watched! No excuses, I'm just glad he didnt hurt anyone once he escaped and that it all did end well.
It could have ended in tragedy once again, you would think CCSD would have learned a lesson the last time.

Posted by rabbit2300 (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

maybe when the last SO admin was there they had the money to fix problems that are still in place at the jail. but instead they built a nice chapel because we all know you get to jail by being a good church goer.
Maybe this time they can build them a movie theater or a sauna. The sheriff could try to improve moral of the jailers. also they could use the money they get next time to actually make improvements. i know the jail will always be a thorn in the sheriffs side. we all know people in it want out who really wants in. and as for it not being the jails fault. i thought when the person was in jail that the county is responsible for there care. i could be wrong on that because the jail sure doesnt want to be.

Posted by welder1 (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am glad to see we have so many people in Covington County, that knows how to run a jail or be the sheriff. We should all feel so much safer, the fact is most of you people posting these comments have never done there job. The police and sheriff of covington county are very underpaid, and they have a very hard job. If they do there job and someone does not like it they file a complaint. If they don't do their job someone wants to complain, I think we have the best sheriff we have had in a long time. He tries to do his job and take care of the jail, complaints, making sure he can keep officers on the road and answer all the calls the people of Covington County has. I can say these things because I have been on the thin blue line, you can never make everybody happy. As far as the jail goes maybe instead complaining you should go to the commission and get a better budget for the sheriff to operate on and you may see some change. Stop being part of the problem and help fix the problem.

Posted by cco (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I say blame the Sheriff. Let s get KNITV to blast him like was done to Anthony Clark while he was sheriff and prisoners escaped. What a double standard.

Posted by nurse (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just a little FYI for the fellow who posted about Charles Pierce. Yes, he was on work release with APD. No, they do not stand guard beside their work release inmates at all times. Yes, he did escape. Yes, he did have prior escape charges prior to the latest escape. And, yes, Anthony Clark knew about it prior to letting him out on work release. These inmates need to be screened much better before the Sheriff puts them out on work release. But, this is not about work release. This is about escape and how to prevent it. The COs at the CCSO are not paid much more than a cook at McDonald's...I wouldn't put my safety on the line for that! Those guys are a target for those inmates. Inmates infected with Hep C and HIV are spitting and throwing feces at those guys! Would any of you do that for $8/hr? I wouldn't. But, you have to have a job. What is the answer...the Sheriff should be pushing for more money. Perhaps there would be more County funds if Anthony Clark had not let Roy Doster escape and kill people. We are now paying millions to the families of those he murdered!

Posted by truebeliever (anonymous) on January 3, 2009 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Agrees with Bama, they are putting the publics lives at risk everytime they decide to slack on their jobs. If they cant handle it, change jobs! It scares me to death to think there is a daycare center, oldfolks home, and apartment complex all within a block of that insecure jail.

Posted by rabbit2300 (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

the sheriff has ask for money but the commission decided that the road and bridge needed all new equipment and trucks. also a few of the commissioners friends and family need a job with the road and bridge crew. we all agree the jail needs to be fixed. as for the sheriff he is not under paid the deputies on the other hand work 2,3 some even 4 jobs to pay the bills. if you think the sheriff just get his salary he has discretion on certain other fees as to how and use the money from those fees. pistol permit portions of the housing bill. a few other varies things. but the jail needs help but not even alcatrez was perfect.

Posted by SEAN (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

yet another escapee and the main thing anyboby can say is how jailers are underpaid? what about school teachers and shaw and sitel and paris packaging? what about convenient store clerks? wait is there not a job out there where people are underpaid other than doctors and lawyers? this is our great american society.
why place the blame on the sheriff? he doesn't stay there at the jail. it's the guards. people who are just lazy.
its not a cover up just by the ccso, it's the star news too. read the above story. my 3 year old niece wouldn't even believe that crap. why would they even print that? its totally unbelievable.

Posted by Guard (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 12:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I for one am completely satisfied with all aspects of my job, pay included. Every day i go to work with pride because i know i am the line between the citizens of Covington County and people who do not know consience or remorse. Most of you have no idea whatsoever, no offense, concerning what we do or how we do it. We are a family. We work together. We have each other's back. There will never be a time when we will be perfect. We follow our leaders by chain of command and do what we are told. If any of you believe we are ever "slack", you're wrong. You obviously know nothing about my job.

We all knew before we applied or very soon after what we were going to be paid and what would be expected of us. We all have our specific duties to carry out during the day and logs to record them. All of my fellow C/O's have jobs to do and do them well. I for one have never complained about my pay, have never felt like i should perform substandardly due to my pay, and do not know of any other C/O who feels this way. This idea is most certainly coming from either a disgruntled previous employee or some armchair wannabe critic. Bottom line folks, don't believe everything you read in the forums.

As for the events on New Years Day, none of you know exactly how the inmate escaped or how he ended up in Mobile. You are basing your comments on words like "might have" and "possibly". The only statement made as fact was that Harris scaled the fence and was injured. Before the "Big Conspiracy" is complete, how about finding out what actually happened first?

I just wanted to say thanks to the Covington County Commission and to our Sherriff for allowing me to serve this community. They will always be able to count on me to help protect you.

Posted by bigballer2008 (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bama dude or better known as Eddie Knight or Ed lewis you used to be a jailer yourself. All of law enforcement is underpaid compared to other agencies surrounding covington county. I still think that law enforcement in covington county is second to none and that Sheriff Meeks is doing a great job. I read the paper everyday and it always has someting great that either ccso,apd or opd or one of the other agencys have done to make covington county a betterplace.I for one think that we need to get behind all of our deputies and police officers and try to make covington county a better place to live. I love living here and would not make my home anywhere else.

Posted by StabbingWestward (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

when I say underpaid I mean you PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET...If you offer $8.40 and hour that is the QUALITY person you can higher....Start out at 10.00 and hour and you may get people who will do their job because they know it is a good job. The stuff done to the jail after the escape didn't help much because they did not address ALL the problems, just what was exploited in the escape.Everyone praised Clark for the things he fixed.....now the same people say it wasn't good enough. Don't scream double standard on the sheriff when the whole community at some point does the same thing. For the Comment on how to prevent escapes...only two ways to do it....find a genie in a bottle and wish everyone would abide by the laws, or lock the inmates down 24/7. Neither one will happen.Again the same people saying the guards are lax are the same ones who say the jail does not feed enough and call up the sheriff complaing of inhumane treatment. Which is it. The jail needs repairs. Ask anyone who was in here or has seen the back by being in the Grand Jury. It's documented what needs done, the comission won't budge because "We don't have the money" when a certain person in charge of the money drives a lexus SUV, or giving the man over the Arena a $5,000 a year raise for running the Arena which is bringing the county in the hole. The people in control of the money do not manage it well. Like others have said as well, "You do this job (law enforcement) because you love it, not to get rich" Thats a good person to have protecting you, but when you cannot even make ends meet and you work 2 other jobs and are fatigued your not gonna be on the top of your game. In Agreement there was neglegence, but on several different levels and don't bad mouth every guard or Deputy when just a few did something stupid, how do you think it makes the ones who do their job to the fullest feel when you basically call the whole department and those in it idiots and morons? you really think it is wise to name call those you call for help? Think about it when you pick up that phone and call the cops because you think someone is trying to break in or something. How scared you feel is instantly less when you see the blue lights and the officer come out. If you REALLY think they are neglegent in their job, why call. Look at all the drug deals going on in Covington County. How would you like to go to another town and they see your tag and say "Look another Dope head Covington County Citizen" Doesn't feel good to be condemned for something you had no part in. Thank you again for reading,

Posted by bigballer2008 (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DONT LIKE THE POLICE!!!! NEXT TIME YOU NEED HELP CALL A CRACKHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Uh I don't think people are saying they don't like the police. I do agree with the folks that have said, no matter what your pay, you should do the job to the best of your ability.

Posted by SEAN (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i agree. however, there is ABSOLUTELY no excuse for for so many escapes. no matter who the sheriff or how many jailers and deputies. Covington County jail has set a very high record for the amount of jail breaks with 2 sheriffs and countless jailers. if not the jailers, who is letting these guys go? who? personally, i think it's a bunch of crock. Covington County citizens paid a lot of money for that brand new jail just what, 10, 15 years ago? now because after numerous jail breaks people think the jail needs repairs? i would'nt pay it either. it should have been done right the first time.

Posted by patwilliam (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's not the jail that needs repairs, we need more jailers dedicated to their jobs, and as someone said earlier, they know the pay when the go in, so it shouldn't be an issue, do your job and noone would escape, stop putting prisoners on 'WORK RELEASE' that aren't capable of obeying the law (obviously they are there because the broke the law in some form), and stop being lax when it comes to watching them, regardless of how many are in the jail, you are jailers, and you are paid a salary/wage, regardless, the escapes and "walk offs" should not occur.....come on people...what if this man had murdered your family.....would it be okay cause of lack of manpower? I don't think so....I would be outraged and OUT FOR BLOOD! There is NO EXCUSE for a prisoner walking off or "escaping" from the county jail, none WHATOSEVER!

Posted by StabbingWestward (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe.......just maybe.......they accepted a job for their wages.......and maybe....just maybe they were promised MORE money for doing a good job....and maybe after months and years of doing a job well and still no raise makes you slowly stop caring.....not good.....but it's human nature.....I tell you all what, why don't you come work at the jail since you know everything....try to go one week there, 12 hour shifts and be subject to violence, AIDS, HEP C, Shanks, getting spit on....thats not an easy job.....and ontop of all the garbage you have to deal with you have to read about people who say your lazy, worthless, neglegent, and irresponsible. Escapes are bad, but they will happen, but guess what, there have been quite a few from other counties as well, Escambia has had several in the past 2 years, Coffee county had one awhile back with a hostage involved, Dale county almost had a jailor killed when two attacked him to escape. You want to judge those who put their lives on the line and when something bad happens you spit on them and say they are terrible. Thats a shame, while you sit in your little office typing, or at home watching Tv, think about those people who are getting spit at, attacked, catching incurable diseases, and doing the best they can with the given circumstances and see if you would do it and could do it any better, this isn't like tv where every angle is covered by a camera and you have guards everywhere you turn and big spotlights and towers. This is a "Newer" jail, but the lack of maintance has it just as run down as the old one behind the courthouse. The only thing I wish more people would realize is do not shame everyone for one person or one shifts actions, there are alot of guards doing their job and doing it right. Not only doing it right, but going above and beyond for your family members that get locked up. If you think about it alot of your UPSTANDING CITIZENS of the community have been arrested or had close relatives in here. It's just like me saying your a bad, lazy parent because your child didn't do well in school, or was arrested for drugs. Individuals are responsible for themselves and unfortunelty some people can be bone headed and make others around them look bad. To para phrase don't read the plot line on the back of a book and say it is a bad book, read deeper into the chapters and get details before you throw it to the side. The Sheriff does just like everyone else in the world, he works with what he has available. Sometimes it's enough, sometimes it's not. Just don't say no one tries or cares because you make mistakes just like others do and everyone will continue make mistakes. What would be more helpful then name calling and finger pointing is attending the commission meetings and talk about the problems here and demand them be addressed. It's easy to sit behind the monitor and demand change, make the effort to go out and do it. Thank you

Posted by bigballer2008 (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AMEN STABBINGWESTWARD

Posted by welder1 (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is easy to see the ones yelling the loudest are the ones who screams the loudest when they need help. Just remember we are human and we all make mistakes. I really like the comment that guard made. Most of you are making your minds up without having the whole truth. I served with the Sheriff when he was on the street. He is a good officer and he is a good man, the fact is he can't fix everything in one term. It didn't get messed up in one term just remember that when you get ready to lay the blame. Or better yet go apply for a jailers job and see if you can do it better.

Posted by SEAN (anonymous) on January 4, 2009 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

by reading the article and comments, i have easily come to one conclusion. covington county jail needs so much maintenance that it cannot house it's inmates. the jailers have too much work to deal with their job effectively. there aren't enough jailers. nobody gets paid right. therefore, consequently, it's NOBODY'S fault that this man climbed not one, but two fences while not being watched. it's nobodys fault that an ignorant citizen picked up a bloody guy in a jail uniform and drove him 120 miles out of the way. it's nobody's fault that Doster escaped twice and killed 2 people. it's nobody's fault that people literally walk away from jail on a regular basis in covington county. therefore, the only conclusion to this situation (being as how nobody knows the truth and the newspaper is a lie and citizens don't deserve a reasonable explanation) is to just fire all the jailers, elect a new sheriff, let the inmates go home and trust them to abide by the law, and close the jail down until halloween when it can be used as a haunted house.

Posted by Guard (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 2:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Or, Sean, mabye we should all sit at home, do nothing all day and complain sarcastically about something we know very little. Why don't you try corrections? I bet you could fix all that's wrong in one day, you seem to have it figured out. Hey, mabye we could erect a tall tower in the mens yard and place an armed guard inside to shoot everyone who makes a sudden movement, or mount claymore mines around the perimeter set to blow up if a frog bumps his butt within 10 feet. Just some "conclusions" i've thought of while i sat here typing this comment in preparation for your inauguration as jail administrator.

The simple fact i'm trying to make here, Sean, whining will not fix any issue, blaming guards, maintenance and our Sherriff will not resolve your disbelief or cure your inner anger. Jumping to miraculous conclusions about what actually happened helps ALOT, and not having your facts correct.. priceless.

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 4:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You know we can keep going back and forth but the bottom line is, there have been way to many escapes from that jail.I got to laugh when some of you say try corrections. Hey that is your job! You chose that job. We tax payers pay your salary. I know people are going to escape from jail every now and then but this jail has got some major problems.

Posted by SEAN (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

why would i want to try corrections. when i go to work, i DO my job. i'm not the one sitting here whinning. i'm the one simply stating the facts brother. you are fighting a losing argument. according to you, who claims to be a guard, the paper isn't telling the truth as to what happened. why don't you, enlighten the rest of us on the FACTS since the paper is telling a story.
now, buddy, you read all 35 of these comments here and tell me where i'm "whinning". fact is, you "jailers" are doing such a great job, inmates escape WAY too much. truth be told, fingers are gonna be pointed at you "jailers" and there is nothing YOU can do about it. there is no excuse for that many escapes. no excuse. would you be upset if you went to mcdonalds and ordered a burger, and the as you began to eat the burger you realize that there was no meat? so you go back, complain, and they give you another burger with no meat? i'm sure you would. "jailers" are the only ones that can have fingers pointed at in this situation. not the sheriff. i see comments on here about him being under paid as well, but thats a big ol house he lives in to be so "underpaid"
i don't care whose fault all these escapes are. i just know you jailers need to keep them in jail. whose fault is it that the guy managed to get over 2 fences in cameras view while there were no guards with him? if it's not the sheriff and not you...the "jailers" then who? ok, listen, i was at arbys eating dinner at the time of the escape. i take 100% responsibility. it was my fault. i said " hey man come on over those fences and i'll give you money and a ride to mobile." there, guard. you keep doing what you do. it was my fault. ok.

Posted by welder1 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well I can see one more person is so up on the latest news, Sean the sheriff and his family had that house long before he was sheriff . and if you knew him you would understand many more things which is not worth getting into. I understand the jailer should have been doing his job, if in fact the paper is correct. But the bottom line is many people in covington county are waiting with baited breath to jump on the band wagon to run someone down. It's just a plus when it's law enforcement.

Posted by chopdoc (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You want the real story? In this county? Good luck with that.

Posted by SEAN (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i was just making a point based on the above comment about who all is underpaid. i could care less how much he makes. and i really don't care about the size of his home. thank you for the feedback.

Posted by covingtoncountycitizen2008 (anonymous) on January 5, 2009 at 11:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some of you make a lot of sense, but the rest of you don't know a thing about what's going on around the county. You say the paper doesn't tell the whole story. How do you know that? Are the people on the site suppose to believe some rumors that you out in the community have heard about what really happened? Come on, if it anything to do with some type of law enforcement, then they are to blame. Have you stopped to think that maybe its the taxpayers of Covington County that complain everytime taxes go up and fight it tooth and nail. Maybe that extra money could go for improving our county. I for one know that we can't survive off what it cost someone to live ten years ago. Then we could have wages that were better for county workers. Then, you would probably complain that they were making too much. I wouldn't want the job the Sheriff has. Everything that goes wrong, he is to blame. Why don't some of you that is concerned about the everday operations go to the sheriff's office and inquire about it. Instead, you want to criticize someone as a individual or an organization as a whole. It's also surprising to me that one user on this site complains about the CCSO, where they were an employee, but takes up for the APD, where a relative works. Sean, you were an inmate in the county jail from what you said. That's why you will do everything to try and point fingers at the wrong doings of the police. Another user on here ruined what could have been a very good business to pursue a career in harassment of the former sheriff. Politics I might add changed what could have been a good business to a business that only a few watch. StabbingWestward, bigballer2008, and Guard seem to be the ones who has enough common sense to walk around and make reasonable comments. I sure am glad I am not in the police business. I could not deal with all of the know it alls that Covington County has to offer.

Posted by SEAN (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 1:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

SEAN NEVER POINTED FINGERS AT THE WRONG DOINGS OF THE POLICE. THE POLICE WERE NEVER MENTIONED BY SEAN. DON'T PUT WORDS IN SEANS MOUTH JUST TO HAVE SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT. ALL SEAN SAID WAS THAT THERE ARE INMATES WHO LITERALLY WALK AWAY FROM CCJ ON A REGULAR BASIS. IS THIS NOT TRUE? SEAN ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS THE JAILERS FAULT BECAUSE IT IS. IF THE TAXPAYERS MONEY IS TO BLAME FOR THE ESCAPE PROBLEM, BUDDY, EXPLAIN WHAT MAINTENANCE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED IN THIS ONE SITUATION THAT IS BEING MENTIONED. NO GUARDS WATCHING THE INMATES ON THE YARD. WHAT MAINTENANCE? NO GUARDS WATCHING THE CAMERAS THAT VIEW THE EXERSISE YARD...WHAT MAINTENANCE? WHAT PART OF THE JAIL IS MESSED UP IN THIS SITUATION THAT NEEDS MAINTENANCE. I SAID I HAD BEEN IN JAIL BUT THAT WAS 12 YEARS AGO. WHEN I WAS THERE THERE WERE 2 GUARDS THAT STOOD AT THE DOOR AND COUNTED HEADS AS INMATES WENT ON THE YARD. ON THE WAY BACK A GUARD WAS THE LAST ONE IN TO BE FULL AWARE THAT NOBODY WAS LEFT ON THE YARD. AGAIN I ASK YOU MR COVINGTON COUNTY CITIZEN...WHAT MAINTENANCE? IF ITS WRONG TO POINT FINGERS WHERE THEY NEED TO BE POINTED THEN WHOSE FAULT IS IT THAT THESE GUYS ARE WALKING AWAY SO OFTEN? WHOSE? YOU SEEM TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING. TELL US ALL MR SMARTY....WHO IS TO BLAME? IF YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN THIS, WHY CALL PEOPLE OUT AND TRY TO MAKE EXCUSES? WHY NOT OPEN YOUR EYES TO YOUR APPARENT BLINDNESS AND FACE REALITY.

Posted by BamaBrat (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok, I have read all these comments, an i have to agree with Guard. An all i am going to say is this, If you dont like how things are run, or you dont like how things are going .Then jump in there an run them yourself an maybe just maybe you wouldnt sound like some cacklin old hens , that are pointing the finger , but what you dont relize is that when you are pointing a finger at all these people you have 3 fingers that point back at you ...So quit babbling an acting worse than kids an get off your butts an do something about it ... If in fact things are really that bad !!!

Posted by covingtoncountycitizen2008 (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WHO IS TO BLAME? Well BUDDY, I believe that would be people like you Sean. People who do not understand what it takes to be in a profession that is always under a microsope. A job that is criticized when something goes bad but not recognized when when something goes good. And when they are recognized, referring to a previous story, then they are punished by some of the ignorant comments that are left on this site. You say open my eyes, but half of the comments that were written were with eyes closed and commented with a one sided story. My comments good, police bad is the mentality that alot of you have. So BUDDY, when you decide that its time to move from a bottle to a sippie cup, then leave comments that are realistic and to the facts and keep some of your fictional comments to yourself. I guess you will now write that you can write anything you want to. I guess you will come back with some words that you think will make me mad and scare me. Well, let me tell you something, BUDDY, I will look after the best interests of the dedicated officers that we have in this county. The way these officers have helped me in the past when I needed help showed me that they deserve better than the negativity that you all have to offer, BUDDY. The impact that it has on the families of these officers and for what. To be scrutinized by some wannabe that needs to be heard through the Andalusia Star News site. Well, Buddy I personally want to say thanks to all of the men and wome that serve our country and protect us locally in our county and may God bless each and every one of them as they go to their jobs. I want to thank them for taking on a job that so many says they would not want. I want to thank them for helping me in a time of need and when my family needed them the most. So BUDDY, I hope you have a wonderful day and be careful at work.

Posted by SEAN (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

UM....AGAIN....WHO IS TALKING ABOUT THE POLICE? THE POLICE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. NOW AS FAR AS THE JAILERS, YEAH THEY HAVE A LOT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES MEET IN ORDER TO DO THEIR JOBS. THIS I AGREE WITH. BUT WHAT IS THE NUMBER 1 JOB OF A JAILER? DO YOU KNOW? ANY FOOL DOES. IT IS SIMPLY TO KEEP THE INMATES IN JAIL. HOW ARE PEOPLE LIKE ME AT FAULT? WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO WANT TO ACCUSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING TO DO WITH IT MAN? AS FAR AS POSTING COMMENTS TO SCARE YOU...I WOULD RATHER JUST MEET YOU FACE TO FACE TO SCARE YOU. BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT THINFGS CHANGE WHEN THERE AIN'T A COMPUTER SCREEN IN FRONT OF YOU. I'M DONE WITH MY COMMENTS TO THIS STORY. THE JAILERS SCREWED UP. POINT BLANK.

Posted by browneyedgirl08 (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

you know people all yall that want to sit here and point fingers at the jailers, if you think that you can do a better job how about go do it your self.. you dont know what kind of job it is until you put your self in thier shoes.and if some one wants to escape bad enough there going to find a way reguardless. and the way some of yall make it sound yall act like some one escapes every time you turn your head this is the first escape in how long since doster escaped? and there pay has nothing to do with it at all. there putting there life on the line for us, to try and protect us so. you know some of us have easier jobs as in sitting on our butts in a chair all day or doing construction work that does not equal to putting your life on the line to serve covington county. i think out police and jailers have done a wonderful job. so before pointing fingers make sure your own hands are clean.!!!!!!

Posted by SEAN (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nobody said they could do a better job BROWNEYEDGIRL. you are right they will find a way to escape if they really want too. but how many other jails in Alabama or the United States for that matter have had as many escapes as Covington County? i really can't understand what the point of this entire argument is. when you get hired at a job, you have job duties. doctors save lives. lawyers either win or lose cases. fast food serves food. jailers take care of inmates and ARE SUPPOSED to keep inmates incarcerated. an escape every now and then wouldn't be so messed up. but good God, do you people realize how many times a year people escape from our jail? 2 lives were lost because of this. 2 lives that didn't deserve to be lost. 2 innocent men gave their lives for a bag of chips, a suit of clothes, a gun, and a vehicle. 2 LIVES WERE TAKEN BY THE SAME GUY WHO ESCAPED THE SAME JAIL TWICE. YOU ARE DARN RIGHT IT'S TIME TO POINT FINGERS AT THOSE RESPONSIBLE. THE GUARDS CLEARLY NEGLECTED THIER FREAKING JOBS. IT IS MENTIONED 46 COMMENTS ABOVE. BY OUR LOCAL PAPER.
I'M SEEING BY THE ABOVE COMMENTS THAT THE PAPER "COULD" BE UNTRUTHFUL ABOUT THE MATTER. YET, HOWEVER, I AM NOT SEEING BY THE ONE WHO CLAIMS TO BE A GUARD NOR BY ANYBODY ELSE, THE TRUTH AS TO WHAT HAPPENED. THEREFORE, BASED ON THAT ARTICLE, AN INMATE WAS ON THE YARD "UNSUPERVISED" AND CLIMBED 2 FENCES NEARLY 16' TALL. NO GUARD SAW THIS PERSONALLY NOR ON CAMERAS. THAT IS THE JOB OF A JAIL. IT'S CALLED SECURITY. WHY WERE THEY NOT SECURING THE INMATES? HOW COULD THIS POSSIBLY FALL INTO THE HANDS OF SOMEONE ELSE? HOW?

Posted by kbklc (anonymous) on January 12, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SEAN I think you have to be talking out of your ass. You are the biggest damn retard on this site. You know nothing about the situation and just keep babbling on and on and on about it. How many escapes have we had in the two years that Sheriff Meeks has been in office? ONE!!!!! In two years one person has escaped. You are throwing up stuff that happened in the last administration at the new Sheriff and the current administration. There was no hole in the fence. Mr. Harris pulled a cable out of the fence that had been placed there to secure the fence during the last administration. How long would it take to pull a cable out? Probably all of a couple minutes. The Commission does not give the Sheriff's Department enough manpower to have someone constantly walking around the perimeter or we could have prevented this from happening. Yes the person in the POD should have caught it on camera, but again how busy is it the person in the CONTROL ROOM. You have so many retards pushing buttons to talk to you (you should know you were one of them at one time), you have other guards pushing buttons to get through doors, as well as the public calling and asking questions about bonding their relatives out. Also at the time of the escape you have the guard in the pod doing all of the above as well as watching the one guard that is feeding to make sure nothing happens during feeding. You have a guard trying to get water cleaned up from where it backed up from the drains. Yes it could have been prevented. But it does not fall on the Sheriff or the Jail Administrator, nor does it fall on the supervisor of the shift or the person that didn't miss it. I believe that it all could fall back to the commission. They waste money on useless stuff that could be used to better secure the county jail. Also the Commission needs to get the Maintenance department to get to the jail to fix all the problems. The only building that the commission and the maintenance department is worried about is the COURTHOUSE. There is more than one building in the county. Go voice your concerns about some of the above at the next commission meeting. Because it obviously doesn't help coming from the people that have already told them. Maybe the commission needs to move there meetings to the evening so the working people of the county can attend these meetings and can ask some questions about where money is going and where it should go. THANKS