Seven inmates escape Hamblen County jail

To all concerned citizens in Morristown, Tn.

As a past resident of Morristown and of the state of Tennessee I find it extremely disturbing the news that continues to pour from the area/areas over several decades. It seems nothing has changed.

For example, It was widely reported today across the country that 9 criminals escaped from your County Jail. Thanks be to Holy God that your public servants (police) managed to conveniently locate several at a girlfriends house, one enjoying a cookout within walking distance of the jail, and one or two walking on nearby streets all without major incidents albeit a few cuts one officer received. The national news went on to report your sheriff's deputy Mr. Wayne Mize and Commissioner Ford's worthless attempts to explain away the cities over-population jail problem while your one and only incredibly intelligent Citizen Tribune hilariously mentioned that your head Sheriff Mr. Esco Jarnagin had "managed to catch one of these escapees without having to expend alot of energy". Then sheriff Jarnagin said in his only statement to the Citizen Tribune "Because I accept surrenders on Wednesdays".

I attempted to contact the Citizen Tribune through its website to voice my opinion. The Citizen Tribune has no link on its website to contact them. Hmmm. After getting through to your Editor John Gullion by phone(which took much persuasion) Mr. Gullion told me he would refuse to print my email any how if it would NOT be sent by the United Postal Service. He never asked what my subject was.

Folks, while most major publications and news media such as Fox, CNN and others make it extremely easy to send email communications why is it The Citizen Tribune not only does not advertise WEB contact information on their website but will also NOT print your email at all because of the method sent? Could it be just another way of putting their own interest before those of the citiziens of Morristown? Why isn't the newspaper's mission statement on their website? Do they have one?

I have several questions.

1. What does your Sheriff Jarnagin do the other six days of the week?
2. Why is he still your Sheriff?
3. Why does your only newspaper, the Citizen Tribune, refuse to give it's web contact information out to the public on its website while anyone in the world can contact much busier newspapers on their websites?
4. Do you really think your town's criminals are the idiots? After all, one KNEW he could surrender on Wednesday.
5. Why did Mr. Gullion, your editor at the Citizen, tell me that he would NOT print any written correspondence from me if it were not sent by the United Postal Service? Where is the public service at the Citizen?

Finally, is there any reason for any of us young educated people to come back to that town? To get a job at Berkline? Swim in the filthy empty lake? I guess things could be alot worse for us all, we could be living in Cocke County.

Drug use, cock fights, dog fights, racism, rape, child molestation, corruption, lack of public funds, blah blah blah. Could it be the same reason a judge gave Mary Winkler in Selmer, Tn. 10 months for killing her minister husband?

If the Citizen won't print it, then maybe somehow the web will know what we all think about the old home town that we are all ashamed to say we came from.

Hey everybody

well i can see why americans want out of hamblen county jail, it's over populated with hispanics! i have 2 cousins that have been busted for dui and they said they were the only americans in the jail
the citizen tribune is a joke, half the time they can't even spell and if you told them you went to west high school, they would've probably listened to you with more interest
yes the lake is still dirty and empty, you'd think that while it was down they would get the jail birds to clean it up
in order to get a job here now you must speak spanish!
the police system here is a total joke, any sherrif that would hire a detective back after being fired for dui after wrecking a county cruiser is a joke...
stay where you are, it's probably a little better there anyway..lmfao

I hope that all of them were recaptured.

The Hamblen county sheriff's department is a joke. If you are a member of the "Good old boys" network you can get away with anything here. God help you if you aren't a member. Despite the numerous complaints against detective Mike Hays, he still continues with his "I got a badge and I am God" attitude. My own case was just one example of Hamblen county justice. I was charged with a felony in April, 09. I did not feel that I had broken any law and refused to accept a plea bargain. Finally, my case was sent to the Grand Jury on November 2,09. The Grand Jury found that I had not broken any law and issued a "NO" true bill. Fourteen hours after this, the sheriff's department took another warrant against me. On November 18, 09 I met face to face with the Sheriff Esco Jarnagin and his hired thug Detective Mike Hays to ask why they were so hell bent on prosecuting me, I was informed by Mike Hays that the charge against me would continue to be submitted to the Grand Jury till they got the answer they want. Guess the jury isn't the final word around here. Justice Hamblen county style!!!

I also have a horror story about the dungeon,i mean hamblen county jail.I haved moved away from there also.Im sure there are many stories to be told about that place.But this is just one of them.In 2004 i was umong the ranks of thug and theive in there basement of teror.and what would have been a misdermenor anywhere else turned out to be a six year sentence there.I wont go into detail.Only that the corruption runs rampant in that small county in tn.Ever since my lif has been alot harder ho;ding this felony over my head.I hope they sleep better at night knowing how many lives that they have ruined in the past,and continue to keep ruining.there scare tactics and mob ways are well honed,and the good ole boys dont plan to change the watch anytime soon im sure.If you live there may god help you,even if you are a law abiding citizen.And if you planning to move there i suggest not,well unless you looking for work in law enforcement,or should i say corrupt inforcement.may god bless all who have been touched by them who are in power in that small town.I know it changed my life forever,if thats how they wish to be remberd threw history.Keep up the good work boys,your moms would be proud!

i don't blame them you would to if you were in there