Inmates Disrupt Operations At House Of Correction

Bristol County Sheriff  Thomas Hodgson says inmates at the House of Correction in Dartmouth continue to cause disruptions brought about by changes in their schedule because of budget constraints. Hodgson says he was forced to eliminate  so-called free time for inmates, resulting in them spending more time in their cells, because he didn't have enough  officers available to oversee that activity.  Some prisoners on Wednesday refused to return to their cells.  Others damaged sprinkler systems in their cell areas.  The sheriff says similar activities happened Thursday.

The Sheriff says inmates who damaged property will pay for it through their canteen account.  Hodgson said earlier this week, his department is woefully underfunded and he blamed the Patrick Administration for playing politics with his budget.

The Sheriff says he called Secretary of Administration and Fnance Jay Gonzalez Thursday morning, but the call was not returned.