Commissioners in Southeast Georgia's Camden County aren't ready to sanction the sheriff's use of inmate labor because it might be illegal.
Commissioners met to discuss a program that has come under scrutiny in recent months. State investigators are looking into Sheriff Bill Smith's use of inmate labor on private property.
St. Mary's attorney Jim Stein says, the program is out of control. "The Sheriff's Department is using this as a personal, private labor pool," Stein says. "This is totally irresponsible."
Supporters of Sheriff Smith say few people are concerned about the inmate labor program. Mary Ann Seaman is a former Smith campaign aide.
"I remember the days when they used to rake the leaves from old ladies' homes in Woodbine," Seaman says. "They wash cars; they still wash cars. And I'm very appreciative of that."
At their meeting, Commissioners tabled a resolution that would have given their blessing to the Sheriff's use of inmate labor on private, for-profit projects. The county attorney said, the resolution might violate state law.
Commissioners met to discuss a program that has come under scrutiny in recent months. State investigators are looking into Sheriff Bill Smith's use of inmate labor on private property.
St. Mary's attorney Jim Stein says, the program is out of control. "The Sheriff's Department is using this as a personal, private labor pool," Stein says. "This is totally irresponsible."
Supporters of Sheriff Smith say few people are concerned about the inmate labor program. Mary Ann Seaman is a former Smith campaign aide.
"I remember the days when they used to rake the leaves from old ladies' homes in Woodbine," Seaman says. "They wash cars; they still wash cars. And I'm very appreciative of that."
At their meeting, Commissioners tabled a resolution that would have given their blessing to the Sheriff's use of inmate labor on private, for-profit projects. The county attorney said, the resolution might violate state law.
