Jefferson Co. Jailer Accused of Giving Inmates Food & Medicine Not Allowed Behind Bars
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: April 2, 2012
A woman who worked as a jailer in Jefferson County is accused of giving inmates food and medicine not allowed behind bars.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) says Kimberly Matthews, 26, was fired after an investigation that started March 9th. She's facing a felony charge of furnishing prohibited articles.
The JCSO says the investigation at the W.C. "Dub" Brassell Jefferson County Adult Detention Center first turned up evidence of a phone call made by an inmate.
That inmate called a family member and asked them to bring food and medicine to the jail and give it to a particular detention officer (Matthews) during shift change. Review of video surveillance revealed the actual act of the items being brought into the facility and into the cell blocks by the detention deputy.
Matthews was placed on administrative leave with pay while the matter was investigated further. A further investigation resulted in preparation and submission of charges filed through the 11th Judicial West District Prosecuting Attorney's Office for Furnishing Prohibited Articles, a Class C Felony.
An arrest warrant was issued for Matthews with a set bond of $5,000. Matthews surrendered to the
detention center on Friday, posted bond and was released with a court date of May 7th.
Matthews had been employed for about a year.
The JCSO says more charges on other individuals relating to this incident are being prepared for submission to the Prosecuting Attorney.
The W.C. "Dub" Brassell Jefferson County Adult Detention Center was opened in April 2007 under
Sheriff Gerald Robinson. While incidents such as this are unfortunate, the detention center staff is
constantly monitoring security of the facility, reviewing procedures, resources and upgrading equipment to protect the safety of the staff, detainees and the public, the JCSO said.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) says Kimberly Matthews, 26, was fired after an investigation that started March 9th. She's facing a felony charge of furnishing prohibited articles.
The JCSO says the investigation at the W.C. "Dub" Brassell Jefferson County Adult Detention Center first turned up evidence of a phone call made by an inmate.
That inmate called a family member and asked them to bring food and medicine to the jail and give it to a particular detention officer (Matthews) during shift change. Review of video surveillance revealed the actual act of the items being brought into the facility and into the cell blocks by the detention deputy.
Matthews was placed on administrative leave with pay while the matter was investigated further. A further investigation resulted in preparation and submission of charges filed through the 11th Judicial West District Prosecuting Attorney's Office for Furnishing Prohibited Articles, a Class C Felony.
An arrest warrant was issued for Matthews with a set bond of $5,000. Matthews surrendered to the
detention center on Friday, posted bond and was released with a court date of May 7th.
Matthews had been employed for about a year.
The JCSO says more charges on other individuals relating to this incident are being prepared for submission to the Prosecuting Attorney.
The W.C. "Dub" Brassell Jefferson County Adult Detention Center was opened in April 2007 under
Sheriff Gerald Robinson. While incidents such as this are unfortunate, the detention center staff is
constantly monitoring security of the facility, reviewing procedures, resources and upgrading equipment to protect the safety of the staff, detainees and the public, the JCSO said.
