Recent bloodshed at the Yazoo County Regional Correctional Jail following a stabbing among inmates leaves two victims in the hospital. And with the recent incident, jail officials are reminded of the pressing need for enhanced protective gear and an increase in manpower.
Terry Gann, chief deputy with the Yazoo County Sheriff’s Department, said the altercation between county inmates remains under investigation. He said the stabbing occurred last week, and two inmates remain in the hospital with their injuries.
An inmate has been charged in connection with the assault. But assault charges remain in the air as the investigation continues.
Inmate Tommy White Jr. has been charged with possession of contraband with a deadly weapon. Other charges are pending following the investigation.
“The incident occurred in the jail yard, with two inmates being stabbed,” Gann said. “The inmates who were stabbed are still receiving medical treatment for serious injuries.”
As of press time, White remains at the county jail. However, he has been placed in isolation.
White is incarcerated on murder charges from a 2020 case. He was charged with murder after the body of Phillip Dunn was recovered from a river.
Jail Warden Otis Bailey appeared before the Yazoo County Board of Supervisors this week for permission to purchase protective vests for the jail employees on the county side of the facility. As of now, those employees do not have any protection gear.
County supervisors agreed that the vests are greatly needed, adding that Bailey should purchase them as quickly as possible.
“They need it over there because it is getting serious over there,” said Supervisor Willie Wright.
Bailey added that he is having problems with his guards being threatened by the inmates. He believes an increase in manpower will assist in maintaining order among the inmates. At times, there are only one or two guards during a shift.
“The inmates are coming in with all different types of issues, and it really is a safety issue,” Bailey said. “The majority of my staff are females, and they get scared. Folks are cussing them and telling them that they are going to send someone to their house. We are dealing with people in the community who know where they live. That threat to them is serious.”
With the recent altercations among inmates at the county jail, deputies and police officers have assisted the jail guards in response. Recruitment remains on Bailey’s top list of priorities as he attempts to hire more employees.
