Vandalism of the Grimes County Jail by inmates has been rising in past months and years, and has been coming to a head most recently.
At the most recent Commissioner’s Court meeting, Grimes County Maintenance Manager Elizabeth Vannolan talked about the biggest problem they’re facing.
“We are having issues with the lift station…we have inmates flushing shirts, boxers, cups, all kinds of things down drains, stuffing them in toilets…it is causing a lot of issues. Our jail maintenance guy has created a basket, to kind of catch some of it, hopefully, as it comes out,” said Vannolan. “It is destroying our pumps.”
She said they considered a tool, called a “Muffin Monster,” that would break down some of the materials, like cups, but it would not break down clothing in the pumps.
As for their temporary solution to the problem?
“Our suggestion is to continue to clean the lifts, and with that basket installed, he can catch, hopefully, most of what comes out. We are just hoping the issue can be addressed, as far as clothes being dumped, and being put down sinks and drains,” said Vannolan.
The court discussed how to completely stop the clothes from being flushed, but no suggestions were officially made.
