HINDS COUNTY, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
With a 3-2 vote by board members, the saggy pants ordinance died during the Monday meeting of the Hinds County Supervisors.
District 5 Supervisor Kenneth Stokes who drafted it, says critics who said it violated their first amendment rights, were wrong.
After the meeting Stokes said, "There's nowhere in the Constitution of the United States of America that says you have the freedom to show your ass. We know that we have not done anything to violate the us constitution freedom of speech, freedom of the press, that's all expressed in the constitution. if someone shows me where it says you have the freedom to show your behind in the constitution, I'll eat it."
Stokes says he may bring the pants issue up again for a vote sometime in the near future.
As for the Hinds county jail, it several months before prisoners will be housed in pod C, which was heavily damaged by rioting inmates.
White Construction is currently making repairs at the facility.
In the meantime other companies are lining up, should the county decide a completely new facility is needed.
Rosser International out of Atlanta is one of them, as they presented their qualifications for design during Monday's meeting.
"We understand what challenges many local communities face as it relates to operating an aging correctional facility and helping them asses what their needs are going forward," says Mark Van Allen.
The National Institute of Corrections is also slated to tour the jail, and give a free assessment to the county in the coming weeks.
The county is still looking for an Emergency Operations Center Director. They decided to hold a resolution to begin advertising for the position.
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