TV show sparks firings at Clark County jail

Over the past five months, the TV reality show "60 Days In" has sparked a series of firings and resignations of Clark County Jail corrections officers, Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel said Saturday.

"Unfortunately, some of them had to be terminated for negligence in their duties (and) excessive force," he said.

In total, five corrections officers have been fired and four have resigned over the five-month period, he said. While some of the officers had resigned for other reasons, most instances were tied to information brought to light in "60 Days In."

Noel said the show ultimately benefited the jail because it exposed misbehavior that led to the personnel movement, as well as employee mistakes that could be remediated. Show participants also helped Noel identify officers who were doing good work, he said.

“We were able to thank those folks … and those are officers we now utilize as field training officers,” he said.

Noel had previously told the CJ he had made attempts to bring in undercover officers and solve some of the problems in the jail, but Noel couldn't find someone to commit more than one or two days staying undercover. Noel said the sheriff's department started doing some jail raids and it drew the attention of the A&E network.

The show recently aired its season finale, and the second season is scheduled to air starting in the fall.

The sheriff teamed up with A&E for documentary series, where seven "innocent volunteers" spend 60 days as undercover inmates. Hundreds of cameras were filming around the clock in the jail to give viewers a "first-hand look" of incarceration. Only a select few knew about the project.

“After recently taking office, it was no secret that the Clark County Jail had problems and we needed to take quick control. ... These brave volunteers helped us identify critical issues within our system that undercover officers would not have been able to find," Noel said in an earlier news release.

"Each participant’s reason for volunteering for this program varies, but they share the ultimate goal of leaving with a better understanding of the system – how it operates, its psychological effects, and wanting a part in exposing its larger impact on society," the release said.

In the past, the Clark County Jail and sheriff’s office had been riddled with legal issues, overcrowding and personnel problems.

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In August of last year, a four-month employee of the Clark County Jail was charged with sexual misconduct after police said he admitted to having sex with an inmate. Also in August, a work crew program for inmates was suspended after police said a former inmate tried to sneak phones and drugs to those inside the jail.

Noel, a former Indiana State Police officer and chair of Clark County’s GOP, won the election for sheriff in 2014 after former Sheriff Danny Rodden signed a plea deal in federal court admitting he lied to the FBI about paying a prostitute for oral sex. He was also part of a federal lawsuit regarding the jail’s drug court treatment program.

"I opened myself up to this. It’s a learning experience and it wasn’t an easy decision, but stand by that it was the right decision," Noel said.

Reporter Kirsten Clark can be reached at (502) 582-4144. Reporter Lexy Gross can be reached at 502-582-4087.