THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 6, 1994 TAG: 9408060212
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JUNE ARNEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
In May, a visiting medical consultant found an inmate in the City Jail semiconscious and waiting to see a doctor.
It turned out the inmate had seen the jail doctor 10 times in about six weeks and had been treated for heartburn. This time, though, James Hipkens, medical director of the Georgia Corrections Department, was watching. Within minutes, the inmate was on his way to the hospital.
Hipkens heard the symptoms - a rash around the neck, blurred vision, frequent urination and excessive thirst - and recognized a classic case of diabetes.
Sheriff Robert McCabe asked Hipkens to visit after receiving preliminary reports from the Justice Department about its inspection conducted in November and December 1993, when former Sheriff David K. Mapp Jr. ran the jail.
As a result of Hipkens' report and the Justice Department's preliminary findings, McCabe in June fired the jail's medical provider, Correctional Medical Services, and hired a medical team from Norfolk Community Hospital.
McCabe and his administrative staff also moved to an office building across the street to make more room for medical treatment on the second floor.
Of all the changes at the jail since McCabe took office in January, those in the medical department have been the most sweeping. When McCabe received the Justice Department's preliminary reports on health, safety and civil rights violations in May, his staff began identifying problems.
``We knew we had a lot of problems, but this is like the brick hitting you in the face,'' McCabe said. ``We know we can't change it overnight, but we can take a lot of positive steps every day.''
Since becoming sheriff in January, McCabe has made the following changes, many in anticipation of the final report, received Friday:
The fire-protection system has been upgraded. Heat-sensing monitors supplement smoke detectors. Fire escapes, once blocked or welded shut, have been opened. Keys to fire doors, once impossible to find, have been placed at guard stations.
Jail sanitation and upkeep have been improved. Inmates have scraped, scrubbed and painted walls throughout the jail. Jailers meet monthly with cellblock representatives to hear complaints.
Some state felons have been moved to state prisons, and more prisoners have been placed in a home monitoring program. But the changes account for only a small number of prisoners.
About 250 inmates worked in community-service programs the first half of this year. Only one walked away, and he was captured within an hour, McCabe said. Inmates work at the city garage, clean up Harbor Park and care for the grounds at Lake Taylor Hospital. They will work at Scope starting in October.
The ``Terrordome'' - the jail's juvenile wing - is no more. A new coat of white paint is on the walls and gray paint on the bars. The lights are tamper-proof so inmates cannot extinguish them. Sheets no longer hang from the bars, a condition that Justice officials said could be fatal in a fire.
Prisoner security has increased. Random shakedowns are conducted at least every other day. Assaults against inmates and deputies are being reported. Deputies patrol the halls instead of sitting at desks. There are regular disciplinary hearings for inmates.
The Sheriff's Department has established a training program certified by the Department of Criminal Justice Services, saving about $50,000 a year - the cost of sending 30 to 40 deputies for training.
The $72,000 yearly contract with Krispy Kreme has been canceled. No more glazed, cinnamon, jelly-filled and cream-filled doughnuts. Also gone are pizza pockets, lemon meringue and Boston cream pies. MEMO: Staff writer Joe Jackson contributed to this story.
ILLUSTRATION: MOTOYA NAKAMURA
[Color] Staff file photos
Jan. 4,
1994
The jail's medical ward was packed with ailing inmates before a new
sheriff brought changes.
May 25,
1994
A jail medical ward held 33 inmates, which was less than half of its
population in January.
Robert McCabe took over as sheriff after a visit by federal
officials.
KEYWORDS: NORFOLK CITY JAIL SHERIFF ROBERT MCCABE by CNB