NEWPORT-Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan, Jr. announced Thursday that he has received official notification from the state that the Cocke County Jail Annex will be recommended for a "Certificate of Certification".

Then on Friday, McMahan announced that a lawsuit against the jail has been dismissed, following the recertification news.

In a letter from Jerry Abston, Executive Director of Tennessee Corrections Institute, he states, in part, that the recent inspection "revealed that this facility meets all applicable minimum standards.  This status shall be reported to the Board of Control at its next meeting.  After approval from the Board of Control, you will receive a Certificate of Certification.  You are to be congratulated for attaining this degree of professionalism in your organization."

In the summary of the inspection report attached to the letter to Mayor McMahan, jail inspectors Melody Gregory and Barry Suttles wrote in part, "This facility has made many improvements and repairs.  Current population is below the certified capacity.  Staff and administration have worked very hard on these improvements and are to be commended."

Mayor McMahan said in a press release, "I want to congratulate Jail Administrator Janice Sexton and her staff on the successful completion of this very difficult challenge.  I am very proud of the outstanding efforts  that Janice and her team have put into regaining the respect of the state and for meeting the requirements of certification of the county jail.

"It has taken many months of hard work, dedication to duty, and a willingness to work together with our county Finance Director Anne Williams and Purchasing Agent Debbie Gregg to achieve this level of excellence.  This is just another example of what we can achieve when we set the bar high, take pride in our service and work together in partnership towards a common goal," Mayor McMahan added.

In addition, on Friday McMahan confirmed that he was notified that the Marcie Smith and Jeffrey Betters lawsuit against Cocke County for overcrowding and other various alleged violations has been dismissed without prejudice.

In a letter from Cocke County's attorney for the lawsuit, John C. Duffy, he states in part, "I have good news.  Thanks to the efforts of all of you and the County Commission respecting improvements to the jail and prevention of overcrowding, Attorney John Eldridge, representing the Plaintiff Class, has agreed to stipulate to a Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice of all class claims asserted in the case." 

Attorney Duffy continued, "As a result of the Stipulation of Voluntary Dismissal of the class claims, there will be no trial conducted on such claims January 19, 2010 when trial is scheduled."  Duffy added, "All of you deserve congratulations on this result.  I assure you that John Eldridge would not have been willing to voluntarily dismiss the case, without payment of any attorney's fees to him, if the jail population were not within TCI rated limits and the jail otherwise maintained in good condition."

The county mayor said, "Again, this is truly great news.  I want to congratulate Jail Administrator Janice Sexton, Assistant Administrator Larry Overholt and her staff for overcoming this challenge and at the same time, receiving recommendation for certification of our Jail Annex.  I am very proud of the outstanding efforts that Janice and her team have in professionally managing our jail facilities. 

"The result of years of hard work, dedication to duty, and a willingness to work together in partnership as a team, speaks for itself," Mayor McMahan added.