GADSDEN COUNTY, FL. (WTXL) - State Attorney Willie Meggs filed a petition Tuesday to have the Gadsden County Sheriff placed in contempt of court.
WTXL was able to sit down with Sheriff Morris Young for response to the petition and the entire issue.
“I think it's just sabotage,” says Sheriff Young.
At the heart of the issue is furlough days for inmates and that Sheriff Young authorized those furloughs without judicial approval.
According to Young, “There is no law that's been broken, these are furloughs. It clearly states in state statute I have the power to do that.”
There are strict guidelines that are followed when deciding what inmates qualify for furloughs. No violent criminals are released but it's through furloughs and other programs that jail tension and over crowding is relieved.
Young says, “Of course we do lock them in a small jail and of course we are over capacity.”
Currently the Gadsden county jail is 70% to 75% over capacity.
“In the 10 years I have been here through highs and lows, this is where it's just another incident. As long as I am in office I’m going to face this,” says Young.
Sheriff Young says, he stands by his decision making and plans on moving forward.
WTXL did reach out to the state attorneys office for comment but the phone call was never returned.
