Louisville, Kentucky (AP) – The Louisville Metro Department of Corrections has made significant strides in improving conditions at the jail, following a series of troubling incidents highlighted by WAVE Troubleshooters. Former director Dwayne Clark’s resignation in 2021 paved the way for Jerry Collins to take over, with a commitment to change the way the facility operates.
WAVE News recently visited the Atrium, an area on the fifth floor of the courthouse connected to the jail, where select inmates engage in activities like playing cornhole on alternating days. According to Collins, this approach fosters pro-social interaction and creates a safer environment by breaking down the barriers between officers and inmates.
In less than a year, the Atrium has become an example of the positive changes implemented by Collins as director. Throughout his tenure, Collins has prioritized efforts to prevent drugs from entering the facility and to prepare inmates for re-entry into society.
The jail’s “A Chance for Change” program has received praise from inmates, with reports of improved family connections and personal responsibility. Collins also added intelligence officers to trace contraband, and plans to incorporate more technology to further improve inmate safety and health.
Since Collins took over in April 2022, the Department of Corrections has implemented several new directives, including increased intelligence units, body scanners, K-9 units, and suicide-resistant single cells. Looking ahead, the department plans to introduce vital monitoring in single cells and mental health first aid training for staff in the next year.
In 2023, the department reported only three deaths, a significant decline from the troubling trend of 10 deaths in the previous year. Additionally, there have been no overdose deaths since the installation of Narcan in the dorms, and 636 incidents of contraband were stopped from entering the jail in the last year.
These initiatives reflect Collins’ approach to effectively address the challenges faced by the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, with a focus on promoting rehabilitation and preventing further deaths and drug-related incidents within the facility.
