LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville's Metro Council on Thursday took a pair of steps aimed at fixing the city's troubled Department of Corrections, expressing "no confidence" in jail leadership and approving an investigation into the department.
What You Need To Know
- The Louisville Metro Council voted unanimously Thursday to open an independent investigation into Metro Corrections
- They also approved a vote of no confidence in Corrections leadership
- Moves come after six inmates have died in custody over the last three months
Councilmembers signed off on a resolution late Thursday that expressed "no confidence" in Corrections Director Dwayne Clark and his leadership team.
They also voted to approve an independent investigation into the jail, where six inmates have died while in custody just over the past three months.
Councilwoman Donna Purvis said it's hard enough having a loved one in jail, but it's even harder finding out they aren't being properly taken care of.
"Mr. Clark and his management team, I just get the feeling that they're just going through the motions," Purvis said Thursday.
Mayor Greg Fischer blasted the vote last night, calling it unnecessary and not helpful.
"Thursday's vote was an unnecessary distraction from the important efforts Director Clark and his leadership team have made to improve the conditions at Metro Corrections in this unprecedented time of challenges," Fischer said. "We welcome constructive engagement with the Council to develop solutions that improve the health and safety conditions for our inmate population and our Metro Corrections employees."
The council voted 18-6 to approve the vote of no confidence. The vote on the independent investigation was unanimous.
My resolution to fully investigate Metro Corrections passed unanimously. It is time to get a full public account of what is going on at Corrections and how we can improve things. All citizens deserve safety INCLUDING those in custody.
— Councilman Anthony Piagentini (@CMPiagentini) February 18, 2022
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