Post by tcrashfx on May 7, 2007 6:34:58 GMT -5
Monday, May 07, 2007
By Ian Berry
Staff Writer
By Ian Berry
Staff Writer
Working in the Hamilton County Jail's booking area is in some ways comparable to combat, said Bernrudige Wayne Haines, a 25-year retired military veteran employed at the jail.
Both offer a constant unknown "X factor," Mr. Haines said. "One minute everything is just hunky-dory here, and next thing you know you're rolling on the floor, you and four other officers," Mr. Haines said.
The job requires teamwork, balance and constant self-reminders to keep cool, which become more important -- and difficult -- because of the jail's overcrowding. The jail has exceeded prisoner capacity for years.
On Thursday, for example, the facility had 619 inmates, 130 above capacity.