MACON, Ga. — Local, state and federal law enforcement are still searching for four escaped inmates from the Bibb County jail.
The hunt for Joey Fournier, Marc Anderson, Johnifer Barnwell and Chavis Stokes is now in its 10th day. Their escape has prompted renewed interest in the possibility of a new jail.
Shortly after the escape, Sheriff David Davis said he believes it's time for a new facility. He says the 43-year-old facility is no longer up to standards.
"We have a jail that is falling down on us, that is breaking down," Davis said.
He believes much of the reason the inmates were able to escape was the failing jail infrastructure. It's an issue 13WMAZ has reported on for years. People like former inmate Jamal Harrison have called us about their experiences.
"There were a large number of inmates sleeping on the floor in their little makeshift beds," Harrison said.
He got out of jail in June. Harrison says while physical conditions could be rough, he believes much of the problem was staffing.
"Some of the guards complained about being short on staff," Harrison said.
In a recent taping of Central Georgia Focus, Mayor Lester Miller said he thinks low staffing was one of the main reasons for the escape.
"You've got to have the management, the capabilities there, the personnel, and the guidelines set up to stop something like that. So, no matter how much you spend on a new jail, if you don't do the other things, you're going to have someone escape there," Miller said.
The mayor says he plans to include a new jail on the next SPLOST. That's the penny sales tax that helps pay for county improvements. It's welcome news for Harrison, who hopes a new jail comes sooner than later.
"They've got to condemn that jail," Harrison said.
Last week, Miller said if voters approve the SPLOST in 2025, it would take effect immediately.
Commissioner Virgil Watkins warned it would still take years beyond that to build a new jail. So far, there are no plans for county commissioners to discuss renovations to the new facility.