Letter: Jailer’s job is protect the lives of the inmates and the community

By JUSTIN HALL
Nelson County Jailer

Monday, June 9, 2025 — Let’s talk about something that isn’t flashy or glamorous, but is absolutely vital — our constitutional duty as Jailers.

We have a responsibility to protect our staff, the public, and the inmates in our care. Whether someone is in our facility for public intoxication, burglary, or even murder — they must be treated the same. We don’t get to pick and choose who deserves compassion or fairness. That’s not how the Constitution works. And that’s not how real public service works.

When we walk through these doors, we leave personal opinions and biases outside. This profession is not for everyone. If someone steps into this role for a shiny badge, a title, the benefits, or to check a box off a bucket list — they’re in the wrong profession. And worse, the people we serve will suffer, often in silence and out of the public eye.

Over the past 18 years, I’ve seen things I wish I could forget… and things I never will. I’ve seen people brought to our doorstep minutes from death, and we’ve rushed to save them. I’ve seen others come in nearly unconscious, and we’ve had to act fast to preserve life. We’ve taken in individuals whose lives were changed — or shattered — just moments before arrival.

We do this regardless of the charge, race, creed, religion, sex, or disability. It’s not about judgment. It’s about doing what’s right.

Our job — my job — is to try to save lives, help those we can, and to keep those who are beyond help away from society. We do this every single day.

If you’ve ever wondered why I post at 1 or 2 a.m. … now you know. Sometimes the weight of what we carry follows us home.

I do this job because I love people, I love this community, and because I believe God called me to serve in this role. I’m not perfect — but I work hard, I care deeply, and I do my best to live up to the trust that’s been placed in me.

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