Inmates who will spend Thanksgiving Day at the Cleveland County Detention Center should not expect a traditional holiday meal, Cleveland County Undersheriff Rhett Burnett said.
Burnett said preparing turkey dinners with all the trimmings is too expensive. Last year, it cost the county government about $1,800 to cover meal expenses, Burnett said.
"It would be out of our budget right now," he said.
The Cleveland County Sheriff's Department was forced to let go of several employees in September due to a shortfall in the county's budget, according to officials. Those who were cut were assigned to the administration division or support staff.
Burnett said he was unsure if this was the first time that a sheriff has decided not to serve turkey dinners on Thanksgiving Day.
Cleveland County Commissioner Rusty Sullivan who represents District 3, said the county's budget board sets the annual budget and gives money to various departments.
"We don't micromanage any department," Sullivan said.
He said the decision not to serve jail inmates a Thanksgiving meal was made by Sheriff Joe Lester.
"The jail is under the supervision by the sheriff," Sullivan said.
Burnett said CCDC inmates will be fed Thursday. Thursday's lunch menu includes two turkey hot dogs, mustard, corn chips, white cake with chocolate icing and black cherry Kool-Aid.
At dinner time, inmates will be served spaghetti with meat sauce, green beans, a breadstick, banana and lemonade, Burnett said.
Burnett said Lester had a few words for anyone who wishes to eat a Thanksgiving meal Thursday.
"If you want a good Thanksgiving meal, don't be in jail," Lester said.
Meghan McCormick
366-3539
mmccormick@normantranscript.com
Local news
No Thanksgiving meal for county jail inmates
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