Jail aggressively responds to suspicions

The issue: Deputy jailer arrested on bribery charges
Our view: Two incidents don't mean all is bad

Following the May arrest last of a Hardin County Detention Center deputy jailer on charges of promoting contraband, Jailer Danny Allen said he would continue to watch what is going on within the jail and would do things the right way.

A more recent arrest of another deputy jailer at the facility – the second detention center employee arrested in nearly three months – gives evidence that Allen meant what he said. Unfortunately, it also may be viewed by some that Allen has reason to watch staff members as closely as the inmates they are charged to keep watch over.

According to a complaint filed by a female visitor to the jail, Shadrick Blackmon, 32, a deputy jailer employed since August 2010, allegedly told her he could get her boyfriend out of jail in exchange for cash or other favors.

Per jail procedure, Allen contacted Kentucky State Police and provided investigators, the Elizabethtown Police Department and the Greater Hardin County Drug Task Force with audio and video of Blackmon approaching the complainant. On Friday, Aug. 5, Blackmon was arrested by KSP and charged with one count of bribery of a public servant.

The May arrest of Randall Jackson, 24, a deputy jailer with less than one year of employment, was charged as the result of an ongoing investigation into contraband activity in the facility. According to collaborating investigators, Jackson was arrested and charged with second-degree promoting contraband after the investigation revealed him exchanging tobacco and marijuana for money and favors.

In addition to their arrests, both Blackmon and Jackson had their employment terminated at the jail. If convicted on the Class A misdemeanor charge, Jackson could face up to one year in jail. Blackmon’s charges are more serious, carrying the possibility of 10 years behind bars if convicted of the Class C felony charge.

Anytime arrests of this nature occur, especially in a short span of time, the result often can be a perception of a larger problem. However, it is important that the arrests be viewed for what they are: two separate instances involving two separate individuals, both of whom are presumed innocent until proven guilty of the crimes for which they have been charged.

Jailer Danny Allen has said it is his and his staff’s role at the detention center to protect and serve. Protection of the jail’s code of behavior and reputation is a large part of the responsibility.

In both instances, Allen responded appropriately, quickly calling in local and state law enforcement to investigate. His actions illustrate that he takes trust the public places in him as jailer seriously,and that he intends for his employees to carry out duties with a high level of professionalism. This is an expectation of the community, but inmates housed in the detention facility also deserve such professionalism, whether they are serving time for convictions of crimes committed or awaiting trial while presumed innocent.

This editorial represents a consensus of The News-Enterprise editorial board.