The current conditions at the Hamblen County jail are so dire that inmates are faced with inadequate clothing and sleeping arrangements while being shackled to walls and door handles, according to a recently filed federal class action lawsuit.

In addition to the woeful conditions alleged in the lawsuit, Michelle Torres, Robbie Johnson-Loveday, Amanda Cameron and Bethany Edmond — who are all currently incarcerated at the Hamblen County jail — say in the court documents the local jail has a two-tiered criminal justice system.

Inmates who can afford to pay bail are released immediately. Those who cannot afford bail are forced to remain in the jail, which further compounds the problems of the overcrowded facility and costs taxpayers money, the lawsuit contends.

"How quickly — or whether — a person is released from jail depends on her access to money," the lawsuit states.

The allegations outlined in the lawsuit, which was filed in East Tennessee, come as the state's rural jails continue to grapple with overcrowding.

Gov. Lee's budget calls for increase in jail funding

To help pay for the costs of overcrowding, Gov. Bill Lee's proposed $40.8 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year seeks to dedicate $44.6 million to provide additional reimbursement to local jails that house state felons.

Lee has frequently stressed the need to change the state's criminal justice system, although his legislative agenda this year is aimed at taking small steps toward the ambitious goals set forth by his administration.

Prior to filing their lawsuit, the four plaintiffs had been in jail between two and six days, remaining there because they were unable to afford bail, which ranged from $1,500 to $75,000.

Named in the lawsuit as defendants are Sheriff Esco Jarnagin, Hamblen County General Sessions judge Doug Collins, Hamblem County circuit court clerk Teresa West and three judicial commissioners.

Arthur Knight, an attorney for Collins, declined comment about the lawsuit, saying "we are defending and will speak through our filing."

West said she could not comment on pending litigation but added, "Nobody's (sic) in my office has done anything wrong or illegal."

On Wednesday, Jarnagin said he was unclear why he was named in the lawsuit because he had nothing to do with setting bonds.

Asked about the conditions of his jail, Jarnagin noted his facility is overcrowded like many other jails across the country. He added, the county is in the process of building a new jail.

The plaintiffs allege the defendants do not consider one's ability to pay bail, while ignoring individuals' circumstances.

Edmond, who was arrested drug possession and littering charges, is unable to afford her $1,500 bail, given that she is homeless and had 36 cents in her pocket at the time of her arrest, according to the lawsuit.

Likewise, Cameron, who is the sole caregiver to her 1-year-old daughter and was arrested on several drug charges, must pay $30,000 bail in order to leave jail. Her income is limited to about $300 per week, making the bail amount insurmountable.

Additionally, the plaintiffs note anyone who is unable to pay for bail is required to remain in jail until an initial appearance before a judge. During the initial appearance, the conversation is off-the-record, held behind closed doors, without an attorney being present, according to the lawsuit.

"Arrested persons have no opportunity to raise any challenge to their ongoing pretrial detention or modify the bail amount written on their warrant," the plaintiffs said a secondary document filed Friday.

Overcapacity jail, lawsuit contends

Describing the living conditions in the jail, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit highlight the overcrowded nature of the facility, which is supposed to hold 255 inmates. As recently as December, 384 people were detained in the jail. The plaintiffs note the jail is operating at 150% over capacity.

As a result, the plaintiffs say they are forced to sleep on thin mats placed on the floor without pillows.

“Rather than beds, many individuals sleep chained to benches, door handles, poles and their own wheelchairs,” the lawsuit states.

The plaintiffs say inmates are forced to sleep shoulder-to-shoulder on mattresses on the floor, while being packed in unsanitary spaces that lack ventilation and raise risks of getting sick from the jail’s mold and mildew, the lawsuit contends. Lawyers are also forced to meet with their clients in converted supply closets, which are also used as “ersatz housing units,” the lawsuit states.

The plaintiffs allege the defendants are violating the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, by being denied equal protection and due process.

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Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.