John Coffelt, Editor

Sheriff Chad Partin reported to the Law Enforcement Committee at the Jan. 11 meeting that the latest cold snaps will impact the comfort of the inmates in the Coffee County Jail.

“We want to keep it 70-72 degrees when we can,” Partin said. “But when this 8 degree weather hits, it’s going to get down. It’s a concrete and steel building and it’s cold.”

“We’ve taken some preventative measures,” Partin said. “We’ve clogged up some air leaks. We’re taking daily readings of temperatures and started a temperature log book.”

Partin said that the key element was to avoid coming to Coffee County Jail.

“I’m not trying to be harsh… but if you don’t like my food, don’t come to jail,” Parting added, referring to a heath incentive he implemented that cut sugar and salt in the inmates’ meals. The program, while unpopular among inmates, has been credited to reduce inmate fighting, vandalism in the jail and has improved the population’s overall health.   

“We’re providing what the law requires and that’s it,” Partin said.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.