Detention officer vacancies rise at Forsyth Co. jail; conditions becoming 'inhumane', inmates say
'The pain. The agony. The sadness. The depression. The anxiety. The emotions — they're running high.'
'The pain. The agony. The sadness. The depression. The anxiety. The emotions — they're running high.'
'The pain. The agony. The sadness. The depression. The anxiety. The emotions — they're running high.'
Inmates at the Forsyth County Detention Center (FCDC) said they are angry and scared now that detention officer shortages are impacting them at the jail.
The rise in vacancies is happening after mandatory schedule changes were announced.
This is a story WXII 12 News has been following since October after turmoil over staffing, morale and leadership caused former and current employees to share their concerns.
As of Jan. 27, the FCDC had 94 detention officer positions unstaffed, with one pending resignation.
Inmates said sometimes the shortages have caused them to be locked in their cells for more than 20 hours a day.
Kirstin Clinard, 25, is an inmate in the FCDC. Jail records show she was arrested in October on felony drug trafficking and possession charges. She said inmates have been told the jail is severely short-staffed, leaving inmates locked in their cells, at times, for 22 hours a day.
"That's what they tell us. They tell us that it's because of a shortage that we are on a facility lockdown," said Clinard. "I mean, when you're on lockdown for that many hours a day, it's enough to drive a person insane."
Clinard said , yes, she understands why she's at the FCDC, but a nearly day-long lockdown, every day, is a harsh sentence for an inmate's mental health.
Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said state regulations require that inmates only get one hour out every three days. Kimbrough said at the FCDC, though, they get more than that: two hours in the morning and two hours at night, every day.
"We don't make the law. We just do what the regulation says. So, they exceed what the regulation says is allowed by the state," said Kimbrough. "If we are exceeding that, then we can't be held accountable for someone's mental health."
WATCH: 'Need every ounce of God's help': Turmoil at Forsyth Co. jail due to leadership, management issues, staff say
The number of detention officer vacancies has only kept rising since our coverage of the jail started last fall.
On Nov. 21, there were 79 vacancies.
On Nov. 30, there were 83.
On Dec. 16, the number increased to 86.
In the most recent count, as of Jan. 27, 94 vacancies were reported at the FCDC.
Clinard is concerned about what conditions will be like if more detention officers keep leaving.
"It's because of the conditions that we're having to live under," said Clinard. "It's absolutely terrible. It's inhumane. It's just not right."
That same sentiment of things not being right is what worries Clinard's parents. They saw the mental challenges firsthand during a recent visit to the jail.
"There is a central desk, and there was one officer there. Lights were down," said Crystal Bailey, Clinard's parent. "I asked her, 'What's going on?' She said, 'Momma, we are on lockdown,' but I didn't understand why. She said, 'If the boys misbehave, they lock us all down. If there's a shortage of people, they lock us all down."
Locked down and locked up. Crystal said simple things, like her daughter getting necessities and basic medical care, have taken time. Crystal said it took weeks for jail staff just to get eyeglasses to Clinard and months for doctors to address a broken tooth.
"'I'm sorry it fell through the cracks,' and I heard that twice in three weeks — that something has fallen through the cracks," said Crystal.
The reason why, Clinard's parents say? No staff.
"You start working people 12-on and 12-off, they will get burned out. Then, where do you pull people from?" said Gary Bailey, Kirstin's parent. "Those shortages are just impacting inmates because inmates are smart, and they see what's going on. These staffing issues — it's just going to get worse."
For inmates, it feels like it's already getting worse. Clinard said the time they are allowed out is limited. There's a chance to shower, make a phone call or take a walk, but not enough time for all three.
"I'm in here with these women and I see what they're going through. I feel what they are going through," said Clinard. "The pain. The agony. The sadness. The depression. The anxiety. The emotions — they're running high."
"Custody and care for inmates is paramount. If you're going to put them there, you're going to take care of them," said Gary.
Some would argue that care for inmates is on rocky ground right now at the FCDC, and it boils down to the growing number of shortages. Sheriff Kimbrough said that's simply not the case.
12 Investigates asked Kimbrough if he believes shortages are impacting the care for the inmates in any type of way. Kimbrough responded: "No. No, I don't."
Forsyth County commissioners describe the staffing issues at the FCDC as a crisis. A consultant was brought in to survey jail staff about the morale and leadership concerns. 12 Investigates is still waiting for the results of the survey.
During the interview with Sheriff Kimbrough, he thanked 12 Investigates for previous investigations because funding increased after stories aired on WXII 12 News. Sheriff Kimbrough said they received $2.5 million to put toward concerns, including increasing jail security and upgrading camera systems.
On Thursday, Gary and Crystal told 12 Investigates that they are still dealing with Clinard being denied showers and being left in her cell for more than 72 consecutive hours at a time. Her parents said she was in her cell for 96 straight hours just last week.
WATCH: In 9 days, 4 detention officers leave Forsyth County jail; 2 resignations pending