Mail kiosk improves safety, halts contraband
Grimes County Commissioners Court approved the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) Inmate Communications Wednesday, July 6, which will provide an additional measure of safety for law enforcement personnel where inmate mail is concerned.
Grimes County Jail Administrator Lt. Davis Use said, “A while back we approved the NCIC inmate visitation kiosks in the tanks. This is a system whereby their regular mail is sent to NCIC, is scanned and is available to them on the kiosk rather than them receiving the physical papers.”
Use attributed the move to improving officer safety and preventing contraband coming into the jail. “It’s become known that inmate families have been spraying paper with controlled substances and sneaking it to them in that manner. Through ingestion or smoking, they’re able to take the drugs,” said Use.
He continued, “With the advent of fentanyl and some other of the more dangerous substances out there, it’s also an officer safety issue. As we’re required to open and read the mail, it’s happened that officers have been exposed to some deadly chemicals.”
Use reiterated inmates will continue to receive their mail but they won’t be handling it physically.
He added, “This is a system that’s in place in quite a few other jails. We’re not a test case. It’s an established program.”
According to Use, the addition of the mail feature comes at no cost to inmates, their families or Grimes County.
Commissioner Barbara Walker was absent from the meeting.
Other court action:
•Approved Consent Agenda items which included a waterline installation permit for Wickson Creek SUD on CR 128 and CR 127 and the treasurer’s list of claims and bills, payroll, May monthly report and budget amendments and/or line item transfers.
•Received an update regarding ongoing projects at the county jail, the Grimes County Justice and Business Center and the new maintenance/storage building.
•Acknowledged appointment of Grimes County Auditor Jessica Murphy per Local Government Code 84.003.
•Approved GCSO’s request to auction old vehicles, recovered property and miscellaneous items and use funds to purchase a utility vehicle.
•Approved the restructuring personnel and salaries in the Grimes County Crime Victims Assistance Program.
•After public hearings with no comments against, commissioners voted to approve replats of the following Pct. 4 properties - Whispering Pines, Legacy Estates and West Magnolia Forests.
•Approved Road & Bridge’s request to conduct an auction of the Piedmont barn property in Navasota and reappoint Commissioner Barbara Walker to oversee the auction process.
•Received the Road & Bridge Report from Engineer Harry Walker.
•No action on ARPA expenditures but it was noted that the second payment of $2.8 million was deposited.
•Regarding the Strategic Plan, no action taken but Judge Joe Fauth sated he will schedule a Strategic Plan workshop.
Burn Ban: The burn ban remains in place.