Inmates moved into new county jail

By Staff
Melissa Cason
The cells inside the new Franklin County Jail were filled for the first time over the weekend, but those sleeping there were far from being accused criminals.
The county jail staff hosted local youth groups for a sleepover, in the process allowing the staff to work out the bugs before moving inmates in on Monday.
The sleepover also gave local youth the opportunity to see the new facility and to know what it is like to spend time in the big house.
"This gives us an opportunity to teach our girls about what to do to not end up in here," Brownie leader Mitzi McNutt said.
The students were confined to their cells and had to eat and be entertained within their cells with the exception of touring the facility to see how everything will operate.
While at the jail, Franklin County Drug Abuse Resistance Education Officer Mike Franklin visited with the students to talk about the reasons many of the inmates are behind bars – drugs.
"I know you think this is fun tonight, and we want you to enjoy this experience, but when you are an inmate, we don't care about your happiness," Franklin told the groups.
Franklin talked to them about the importance of making good decisions and knowing their friends.
"You need to know who you are hanging out with," he said.
"Otherwise, you could end up in here with your worst enemy was a roommate. You don't get to pick your roommate in here."
McNutt said the statement about not picking your roommate made an impression on her girls and that was the whole point behind the sleepover.
"We approached the sheriff about doing this in 2006 so that we can teach our girls about the importance of following the law," McNutt said.
The inmates were moved into the jail Monday morning.