Hodgson Says Protest Raised Tensions Inside Jail

Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson says protesters who rallied outside the Ash Street Jail this past week raised the tension level inside the jail which almost sparked an incident.

Hodgson tells WBSM's Ken Pittman, problems started when protesters used a bull-horn to deliver their message.

"Some inmates started to shake their cells a little bit. You're starting to create a potential hazard for my staff and other inmates we're in charge of providing care and custody," said Hodgson.

The Sheriff added, "I'm not against people protesting, everybody has the right, It's America, but you've got to think about what you're doing."

No one was hurt inside the Jail.

The protesters were critical of the Sheriff's plan to use House of Correction inmates to help build President Donald Trump's wall on the U.S.-Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants. Demonstrators carrying signs said the program amounted to slave labor.

Hodgson says the program would be completely voluntary, and enable inmates to learn a skill.