Inmates vandalize Madison Co. jail in weekend disturbance
MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — A disturbance at the jail Saturday night resulted in a fire, vandalized cells, broken windows and other property damage, according to the sheriff’s office. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. at the J. Alexander Leech Criminal Justice Complex when 16 inmates committed the vandalism, according to a release from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Along with setting fire to a pod, the inmates also damaged telephones, a camera and sprinkler heads, according to the release. Deputies and Jackson police officers restored order around 9:35 p.m. when the inmates were separated and secured in other cells, according to the department. Sheriff John Mehr attributes the incident to overcrowding and additional staffing needs, the release states.
