Gwinnett County Jail has found itself at the center of a sticky situation following a recent complaint filed by a concerned citizen. According to reports, the jail has removed hot water from its facility after a pattern of misusage by inmates. The hot water machines were often used by inmates to prepare items like Ramen noodles, tea, and coffee. However, jail officials have since defended their decision to have the machines removed due to safety reasons.
In a statement addressing the complaint, jail administrator Col. Benjamin Hayes stated that the temperature of the water exceeded 220 degrees Fahrenheit. He also said that the hot water was being used as a weapon by inmates, leading to severe injuries.
“Unfortunately, there have been over four instances in 2024 alone where inmates were assaulted with this scalding water, along with two incidents involving staff members,” Hayes said. “All of these incidents resulted in serious injuries and additional charges for the offenders.”
Additionally, Hayes highlighted that removing the hot water machines was not an easy decision but was necessary to ensure the safety of inmates and staff members. He also noted that the maintenance team attempted to lower the temperature, but the efforts were unsuccessful.
“We understand that these changes may cause inconvenience, but they are necessary to uphold the safety, security, and cleanliness of the facility. We were the only facility in the greater metro Atlanta area who provided detainees with hot water like this to make their coffee and other items purchased through commissary,” he continued. “These hot water units are an amenity we had provided for years but, unfortunately, we had to take these drastic steps to prioritize safety and security. Detainees still have hot and cold water to take care of their personal hygiene needs.”
