The Warren County Jail is attempting to offer a CDL program for the inmates, but none of the interested inmates passed the qualifications required. 

At the County Corrections Partnership Committee meeting Tuesday night, Jail Administrator Kevin York said he went to the DMV to get paperwork for the inmates to fill out to start the CDL program. 

None of the inmates who were interested met the qualifications to participate.

“We actually had zero that would actually be able to do it,” said Sheriff Jackie Matheny Jr.

“Eight were interested, but zero qualified,” said Commissioner Steven Helton.

“We also made that available on the kiosk in the back and any of the inmates could see what the qualifications were for having a CDL because we asked them if they were interested and also can you meet these qualifications. Eight people responded that they could and were interested and zero of them actually qualified. We didn’t want to run backgrounds for every person that did it, but we did all eight of those and none of them actually qualified,” said York. 

Many of the inmates have suspended licenses and York says they are looking into getting their licenses back.

“We will have to check on if we can get some of their licenses back. I was told there was a program to help them with that. We don’t have all the information yet, but a lot of their licenses are suspended,” said York.

 Commissioner Carl D. Bouldin was skeptical of this program because he says keeping a CDL license is hard work and thought the inmates should stick to learning trades instead.

“Maintaining a CDL is a really stringent thing. One DUI kicks you out of that truck, so possibly getting it will be impossible for some of them. I am going to go on an estimation that more than likely you need to teach these inmates a trade,” Bouldin.

“I think we need to stick to the Snap On programs, the welding and the stuff we can handle. It sounds good and I am all for being proactive and helping them,” said Matheny.

The Sheriff’s Department is still looking into this program and will be inquiring further at an upcoming meeting with TCAT.