Durham investigating complaints over jail cleanliness

Thirty-three inmates signed a petition that they sent to Andrews last week, saying that they feared bacteria on their food trays and drink dispensers and asking for their weekly allotment of personal hygiene supplies to be increased.

Andrews and Chief Deputy Don Ladd went through the jail cafeteria Monday with representatives of the company that provides food service to identify any deficiencies. Ladd will look into other areas of concern noted by inmates, the sheriff said.

"Jail staff routinely do a very good job of identifying areas needing repair or replacement in the facility," Andrews said in a statement. "When you manage between 550 (and) 600 people on a daily basis that are housed in our facility, there are items that need to be replaced or maintained."