Tim Akins, a former staff sergeant in the Hamilton County sheriff’s department now running as an independent for sheriff, said jail employees’ morale is “way down.”

Mr. Akins, who oversaw booking in the county jail and who now drives a truck for a private company, said employees saw former Sheriff Billy Long “bring his friends in and take their jobs.” He said supervisors in the jail need to be reassigned.

Corrections Corporation of America, the company that runs the Silverdale Detention Center, should not have any part in operating the Hamilton County Jail, Mr. Akins said.

Republican sheriff candidate Jim Hammond has said he could look into privatizing the jail.

Also running in the sheriff’s race are Democrat Greg Beck, independent Jim Winters and write-in candidate Fred Fuson. The election is Aug. 7.

See tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for full coverage.

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