Law enforcement assist when Hamilton County Jail inmates become unruly
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Jail called in law enforcement to assist when inmates became unruly on Wednesday morning.
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies responded, along with other agencies.
Corrections and investigative officers were conducting a contraband search of the jail around 11 a.m. In this search, officers were looking for anything that should not have been in the jail, such as drugs and cell phones. If found, officers would seize these items.
During the search, “inmates became unruly and failed to comply with demands from HCSO personnel,” according to the sheriff’s office.
They requested additional units for backup at 11:15 a.m.
No one was injured during the disorder. HCSO Sheriff Austin Garrett expressed his gratitude that no one, deputies nor inmates, were injured.
Sheriff Garrett explained that Corrections Services conducts these sweeps of the jail frequently.
He went on to say that there are about 1,000 inmates in the jail at any given time, and it is not uncommon for inmates to cause disturbances like this.
“The HCSO is committed to operating a safe and secure facility for both our personnel and the inmates in our charge. We appreciate the response from local law enforcement including the Chattanooga Police Department, the Collegedale Police Department, and all others who heeded the call to assist. This is what we do… we are here for each other,” stated Sheriff Austin Garrett.
