Grainger Commission buys new locks for jail
RUTLEDGE, Tenn. (AP) – Officials in Grainger County have approved the purchase of new jail locks after three inmates escaped from the facility.
The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1jKh7g9 ) reports the County Commission voted Monday night to spend $64,000 on the locks but put off spending another $100,000 for more security measures.
The move comes after three inmates – Dennis Rucker and Shane Farrow both of Grainger County, and David Valentine of Cocke County – escaped on Nov. 8. The three were later recaptured and are now being held at the Jefferson County jail.
Grainger County Mayor Mark Hipsher said other recommended improvements include installing a fence, a new computer system, new cameras and a hard drive to store information.
Hipsher said a vote on those items was postponed until Dec. 9.
