Renovations at Middle River Regional Jail have affected the lighting system for about six weeks now. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.
The Middle River Regional Jail, which houses inmates from Staunton, Waynesboro, Harrisonburg, and the counties of Augusta and Rockingham, is currently undergoing renovations to update the lighting controls throughout the facility.
An inmate who spoke with WMRA on the condition of anonymity said that the main lights in at least one jail pod, which are usually turned off by 11 p.m., have been on continuously since about November 8th. This source said the lights have caused sleep deprivation for some inmates, and several have filed complaints.
There are security lights that normally stay on 24/7, but these are dimmer than the main lights.
Superintendent Eric Young confirmed that some lights have been on more for the last month and a half due to maintenance, and said that the work should be wrapped up in the next week.
