A shocking decision was made in Ray County, Missouri, on the very first day of 2023. Newly elected Sheriff Jerry Blackwell shut down the county jail immediately upon assuming his post. His reasons? Safety and security—or lack thereof. Let’s break down what led to this drastic move and why it’s sparking conversations far beyond Ray County.
A First Day Unlike Any Other
When most people think about a new leader’s first day, they might imagine paperwork, meetings, and settling in. For Sheriff Blackwell, that wasn’t the case. After stepping into office on January 1st, he closed the Ray County Jail. The decision wasn’t made on a whim. According to Blackwell, “You can’t know about this and let it go. Not on my name.”
What’s so bad about the jail? Blackwell wasn’t shy about inviting people in to see it firsthand.
What Conditions Did Sheriff Blackwell Find?
The conditions inside the Ray County Jail are startling. Dull, dim lighting casts shadows over a facility that feels more like a crumbling relic than a secure holding place. Walls in the pod rooms are so weak you can move them by hand. There are holes where inmates have passed contraband. Pieces of toilets are broken off, which could easily be turned into makeshift weapons.
Blackwell made it clear that his concerns extend to both the inmates and his staff. Allowing these conditions to continue is a clear risk. He’s simply unwilling to turn a blind eye.
Escape Attempts and Unsafe Structures
The damage seen inside isn’t just cosmetic. Some of the “repairs” appear to be the result of attempted escapes. Weak walls and open holes make you think twice about security.
Plastic components in the facility aren’t much better. The sheriff pointed to broken pieces that could easily harm someone. It’s not a question of if the jail can keep people inside—it’s a question of whether it can protect the people who have to live and work there.
Relocating Inmates: A Temporary but Costly Fix
With 47 inmates under his jurisdiction, Sheriff Blackwell had to act quickly. He moved the detainees to neighboring county jails and a regional facility.
This solution isn’t cheap. Housing the inmates elsewhere costs between $45 and $60 per person, per day. But Blackwell feels the price is well worth it given the dangers of keeping the current facility open.
He made one thing clear. These inmates won’t return to Ray County Jail until it’s deemed safe and secure.
Public Backlash—and Blackwell’s Response
Not everyone’s on board with the sheriff’s decision. Critics claim shutting down the jail could create chaos or complicate law enforcement efforts. But Blackwell isn’t swayed.
“I think those who oppose this decision wholeheartedly likely haven’t been inside the jail,” he explained. To prove his point, he invited people to take a good look at the unsafe facility. He wants transparency, not rumors.
On the Path to Solutions
What’s next? Sheriff Blackwell isn’t tackling the problem alone. He’s working with the Wright County Commission to figure out the jail’s future. Commissioners have toured the jail themselves to better understand its condition.
Additionally, a nationally accredited agency inspected the jail to provide its professional assessment. Blackwell is now awaiting their report.
There’s no final decision yet. Options might include major repairs, rebuilding, or potentially closing the jail permanently. But Blackwell is firm. Doing nothing isn’t on the table.
The Cost of Inaction
Sheriff Blackwell didn’t mince words when comparing options. Fix the problems now, he reasoned, or deal with costly lawsuits down the road. The conditions in the jail weren’t just uncomfortable—they were potentially illegal. Inaction could risk more than just public safety; it could hit taxpayers’ wallets too.
What Comes Next for Ray County?
The closure of the Ray County Jail sends a strong message: safety isn’t negotiable. Sheriff Blackwell’s decision to prioritize security over convenience has sparked debate but also shows his commitment to meaningful leadership.
For now, the future of the jail is uncertain. Will it get a full overhaul? Will Ray County invest in a new facility altogether? Only time—and funding—will tell.
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One thing is clear, though: Sheriff Blackwell isn’t afraid to make tough choices, even on day one. Thousands of residents are watching to see what happens next as Ray County faces an issue many other communities may also need to confront.
Article generated with assistance from AI.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
