THOMASVILLE — In the little more than a month since county commissioners closed Thomas County Prison, more efficiency is being realized in county government, officials said.

Inmate labor services ended when the prison closed June 30.

County employees have assumed new and extra duties in the absence of inmate labor.

“Morale seems to be good. Everybody’s pulling their weight,” said Tony Bodiford, county public works director.

In response to a question by county Commissioner Mark NeSmith at a Wednesday morning meeting, Bodiford said the biggest challenge is ridding roadsides of litter.

Bodiford said what needs to be done is in the process of being prioritized.

“When we closed the prison, we based it on facts,” County Manager Mike Stephenson told commissioners. 

Public works and building maintenance are the two departments most effected by the closing, he added.

Three county employees are doing what an inmate crew of eight to 12 used to do, Stephenson said, adding there are fewer grounds maintenance personnel than the number of inmates who did the work.

“If we have to add people, we’re still in good shape,” the county manager said.

Stephenson said he has no doubt the system is more efficient now.

In addition to saving a minimum of $500,000 a year by closing the prison, county government will not have to spend $5 million to build a new facility to replace the prison that opened in the 1920s, Stephenson said.

Another prison-related topic discussed at the Wednesday meeting was a request by the Mitchell County Correctional Institute to purchase inmate uniforms left when Thomas County Prison closed.

Commissioner Wiley Grady said available new and used uniforms have a value of about $1,300.

Bobby Geer, the prison warden who will remain at the prison until contents are removed to make way for demolition of the structure, was authorized to dispose of the uniforms for no less than $750 and no more than $1,000.

Frozen and non-perishable food left when the prison closed was given to a Thomasville facility that feeds the homeless and other needy individuals. Geer said recipients are picking up food as it is needed.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820