Grand juries: Powerless over juvenile detention center

By Staff
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2000
Grand juries have been issuing reports on the Lauderdale County Juvenile Detention Center for years. While the citizens who serve on grand juries are no doubt honorable people, the reports they produce on conditions at the center are about as valuable as a worthless check.
Reports after reports have documented problems and recommended solutions that never seem to be seriously considered by anyone with the authority to do something about them. As a result of exposed wiring, water damage and poor lighting, conditions at the juvenile detention center represent a lawsuit just waiting to be filed.
And you know who would get to pay the bill.
Grand juries are supposed to act as the voice of the community in criminal procedures and their actions can lead to serious jail time for suspects later found guilty in Circuit Court. When it comes to the juvenile detention facility, grand jurors should be concerned their voices are being ignored.