Illegal Use of Inmates

From the Augusta Chronicle :
In what has become a recurring problem in Georgia, several sheriffs in recent years have been accused of improperly using their inmates' labor.

Among the cases:
Jenkins County Sheriff Bobby Womack was accused of using inmates as personal laborers in a story published in The Augusta Chronicle in May. An investigation by the newspaper showed that the sheriff worked inmates at his lumber company, his rental properties and his home in a practice dating back as far as 1990. Facing possible suspension by Gov. Sonny Perdue, Mr. Womack resigned in July, citing health reasons. He remains under investigation by the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Coffee County Sheriff Rob Smith is under investigation by the State Ethics Commission over allegations that he used inmates to work on his campaign signs. The controversy was sparked by a photo showing inmates putting signs together, which appeared in The Douglas Enterprise on March 28.

Last year, the GBI investigated allegations that Early County Sheriff Jimmie Murkerson allowed inmates to work on private property, but a grand jury declined to indict him. An Early County grand jury presentment issued in June 2003 said that inmates worked, among other places, at a paint and body shop and installed vinyl siding on a building owned by Sheriff Murkerson. The jury recommended that, in the future, inmates have written permission from a judge before they do work outside the jail.

Among the array of charges against former DeKalb County Sheriff Sidney Dorsey were allegations that he provided inmates to fix up homes for political supporters of his wife, former Atlanta City Councilwoman Sherry Dorsey. Mr. Dorsey was indicted on 19 counts in 2002, including plotting the murder of his elected successor, Derwin Brown, violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corruptions Organizations Act and illegal use of inmates. He was sentenced to life in prison.

In 1991, a Camden County inmate took a deputy's personal vehicle he was washing and, while drinking, got into a wreck that injured two Marines. The GBI began a corruption investigation of Sheriff Bill Smith on allegations of illegal use of inmate labor, violation of the oath of office, theft, falsification of documents and failing to collect outstanding bonds. Sheriff Smith was indicted in 1992, but the state Attorney General's Office later dismissed the case, citing a technicality: The grand jury wasn't recharged or sworn in again after a recess. Sheriff Smith, who called the indictment "politically motivated," remains in office.

I don't need to say any more, but you know I will.