Beleagured Fulton County Sheriff Jackie Barrett is on the hot seat once again, this time over a music video produced at the Fulton County Jail last week.

A music video for rap artist "T.I." (23 year-old Cobb County work-release inmate Clifford Harris) was produced in the maximum security wing of the downtown Atlanta facility, and during the time that the video was being produced, ostensibly without Barrett's knowledge, a prisoner who was being booked in slipped OUT of the jail.

Clifford Harris, who goes by the stage name "T.I.", is part of a work release program in Cobb County, officials confirmed Friday. He is assigned to work at AtlantaÂ’s LaFace Records from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. daily and the rest of time, he is in custody. He was convicted on drug charges and a probation violation.

Cobb CountyÂ’s sheriff gave him special permission to go the Fulton County Jail from 6 p.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. to tape the video. Fulton County Sheriff Jackie Barrett said she was unaware of the filming.

Barrett said that the video production had nothing to do with the escape of 23-year-old Cara Williams. Williams, who was taken to the jail wearing hospital scrubs, ducked down a staff corridor while she and eight other women were being walked to the intake room Thursday night.

"What we know right now about the escape is really more a factor of not having enough staff to watch the number of inmates. We had 125 inmates in the back (being booked) last night," Sheriff Barrett said, adding that four staffers were doing the booking when normally eight are on duty.

Barrett is looking at firing a number of employees, starting with Lt. Dwayne Turner, who arranged for the artist's use of the jail, and Chief Deputy Caudell Jones, who is the uncle of the artist.

Five other deputies face dismissal for allowing Clifford Harris, also known as rapper "T.I.," to make the video, which also featured eight prisoners and a few guards.

Lt. Dwayne Turner acknowledged arranging the 23-year-old hip-hop star's use of the maximum-security wing of the jail. But Turner insisted that he had permission from Jones to shoot a documentary.

"He said, 'OK, go ahead,' " Turner said Monday. "He actually cut me off before I could give him all the details."

Jones has said Turner told him he wanted to bring a wayward nephew into the jail for some "scared straight" counseling similar to what the Sheriff's Office does for television judge Glenda Hatchett. The jail occasionally allows Hatchett's TV crew to fly juvenile delinquents to Atlanta to talk with inmates about staying out of trouble.

Many people, both supporters and detractors of Barrett alike, are calling for her resignation. She has been in office since 1994.

Posted by: mhking at 06:46 AM | Comments (20) | Add Comment
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1 Ah, yes, Sheriff Barrett clamping down on incompetence at the Fulton County Jail. I'm still kind of amused that they're still claiming T.I. was shooting documentary, since I think he's said it was to be a promo video that would air before a concert he was playing. Still, from what I've read, it seems T.I. did everything by the book. Got permission from Cobb County, ran it be the Fulton Co. Sheriff's Dept., signed in at the jail, and everything. Apparently you can get more respect for rules and procedure from the convicted drug offender than from the Sheriff's Department. BTW, I found out about your blog via Karol/Spot On. I too live in Mableton, and it's nice to see another local blogger.

Posted by: Gib at June 22, 2004 08:02 AM (PsC2M)

2 i think that they should leave Clifford harris alone and just keep in good terms and support him but they as in Cobb county are so good people to let him go T.I love you good luck!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: shantell at August 10, 2004 06:01 PM (N1nc7)

3 I feel the only reason there making a big issue out this video taping is because T.I. has money and they don't like the fact, that he has made a mistake in his younger years and he is trying to change for the better. TI don't let these things going on in your life right know get to you stay focus.

Posted by: latrina austin at August 12, 2004 09:53 AM (QXuw7)

4 Yea, what's up it's yo boy from Bainbridge Georgia and I want to say no matter what happen's I'm still on your side.

Posted by: markies at August 12, 2004 03:58 PM (571/j)

5 I THINK THAT THEY NEED TO LET T.I BE ATLEAST HE WAS SHOOTIN THE VIDEO FOR A GOOD CAUSE, BUT I THINK THEY SHOULD NOT BE SO CONCERNED ABOUT THIS VIDEO BUT THE MORE SERIOUS ISSUES, BUT TIP I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE THE FUTURE MAN AND NON OTHER HAS THE SKILLZ YOU HAVE AND I KNOW YOU WILL PROVED THAT TO US WITH THE CD THAT'LL BE OUT IN DECEMBER, I LOVE YOU AND B E Z

Posted by: TisCaliDymePiece at August 26, 2004 07:51 PM (s6c4t)

6 TIP is the King of Da South. That means that he's reppin me and my people. Ya'll need to leave that man alone and let him do his thing. We got much love for you in Greenwood,SC. I'm a huge fan. Keep ya head up and keep bringin that fire pimpin'.

Posted by: Tra' at September 09, 2004 06:19 AM (bP9HO)

7 what up T.I.P. no matter what happends and who is out there hatin stay up and keep makin that tight muzik that you make you are tha king of da souf!! stay up baby!! yall need to leave him alone and worry about the more serious crimes like who killed tupac and biggie instead of harrassing my favorite rappa!! stay strong baby!!i luv ya!!

Posted by: lindsay goodwin at September 27, 2004 01:49 PM (Ict4k)

8 I enjoy the entertainment that you has brought to the television and the music you have brought to my hears. As a fan, I am not mad at you at all. I believe that things happen for a reason. I truly believe that this shit will be thrown out. I hope it will so you can move on with your life and continue to make all that hot shit we as fans want to hear. P.S. You will forever be "King of Da South".

Posted by: Shaqueela at October 19, 2004 09:34 PM (FwSYx)

9 Mr. Harris, i just want to say how much i respect you and your music. your lyrics inspire me to be a better person- A.H.

Posted by: - at October 22, 2004 06:32 PM (bjONL)

10 T.I. I love and respect what you do. I want you to be easy and don't even sweat of them haters, show them who really the king, "flip" your shit. I love you baby fo real I do. You need to come to the bay area CALIFORNIA, because i know all these tight bay rappas respect what you doing, now you got to come show the people what you about. Keep your head up and keep doing that tight shit you be doing, shit even just looking fly all the time. Man I can keep going but you probably not gonna come across this anyway so peace.

Posted by: Alex M at November 16, 2004 09:42 AM (zILVH)

11 ALL I KNOW IS THAT T.I. IS THE HOTTEST GUY IVE EVER SEEN AND I THINK THEY SHOULD LET HIM OUT!!! HE DOSNT DESERVE THAT!!! I LOVE YOU T.I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JEANETTE R. LOVES U 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: courtney at November 29, 2004 05:39 PM (ywZa8)

12 I am an ex reoccuring "regular" inmate at Fulton motel,lol!!!!.I think its unfair to blame Jackie Barret everytime the damn jail gets over-crowded,its bull shit,& I oughtta know ,I did 15 months in that place!She tried everything with in her power when I was doing a three year sentence to cut down on overpopulation which results in poor living conditions etc..The PROBLEM trully lies with the law makers,the POLITICIANS in the "fine" state of GA>!and it makes me SICK they keep letting JACKIE pick up their slack.I've met herwhen I was an inmate,& she's really a very professional,nice lady...(& I normally hate cops!LOL!)

Posted by: Sarah Church at December 03, 2004 04:43 PM (0xBEp)

13 HEY I THOUGHT JAIL WAS FOR PRISONERS THERE SHOULDNT BE ANYTHING GOING ON EXCEPT SERVING YOUR TIME IF YOU ARE ARRESTED FOR A CRIME. PEOPLE SHOULD REMEMBER ONCE YOU DO WRONG THEN DO THE TIME AND NO SPECIAL ANYTHING GOING ON. GET HER ASS OUT OF THERE.

Posted by: MISSJJ at December 09, 2004 05:10 PM (oOe8t)

14 hey TI makes great music and i hope to hear more from him soon here in England. kiss kiss hope u get out soon TIP.

Posted by: Suezette at January 23, 2005 09:09 AM (kt+mm)

15 Well T.I. is a man wit respect. Yea he was convicted on drug charges. So what? You will pay a price. And T.I. has paid his. I LoVe U so much. You are the finest man N da WorLD!!!!! Show all those othA Rappers, who's the real king! Love u Always. YOuR my future HusbanD!!!!! ~Lol~ Forever will U b "King of the South" ~RepreStiN wheRe u From~

Posted by: Christy at January 27, 2005 07:51 PM (r2Otp)

16 hey T.I. u r sooooooooooo sexiiiii. juss keep your head and never give up hope. when u goin come to cally??? u will always be da "king Of da south" much luv and respect ur #1 fan

Posted by: crazyponnu at January 28, 2005 05:29 PM (ywZa8)

17 BITCHES GET OFF THE T.I.P. OF HIS DICK........... AND IM HAPPY CUZ MY BABY HAS A LOT OF GROUPIES PLUS IM HAPPY THAT UR OUT OF JAIL SO THAT MEAN THAT ME AN T.I. CAN SPEND MORE TIME 2GATHEA OOOOH CLIFFORD I LLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVEEEEEE U WITH ALL MY HEART SIKE I DONT WANT 2 SOVND EXTRA CRAZY OR LIKE IM AN GROUPIE CUZ THATS IMPOSIBLE 4 ME 2 B A GROUPIE CUZ THATS MY MMMAAAAANNN..... THANK U VERY MUCH AN HAVE A NICE DAY. OH 4 THE PEOPLE THAT DONT NO WHO I AM MY NAME IZ DEIDRA HARRIS.

Posted by: DEIDRA at February 21, 2005 03:54 PM (LvtF0)

18 To me, I'm a big fan of T.I. but that doesnt matter! All I'm saying is that they should give him a BREAK! A big one. Just because he was acussed for doing something, to me, your "so called" evidence doesnt make any sense. People are jealous of him because he can get what he wants cause hes got whatever it takes. Its just sad to see that people are jealous of him...He looks like he's a changed man and wont look back again at his mistakes in his early years... peace out!

Posted by: Lora at February 23, 2005 12:15 AM (vBM55)

19 T.I. a.ka clifford i wouldnt worry about that they never want to see us young people get our life straight and the always think they know us its only one person who knows us and thats the man above keep doing what ur doing u do inspire me to keep my head up and dont let people judge me because they dont know me love T.I. kepp ur head up and stay strong.

Posted by: Hope at March 02, 2005 08:57 AM (X90Nh)

20 I feel like if he is changing his life for the better by doing something constructive with his talents they could at least let him attempt that. He has gotten in trouble in the past but he is following their rules so give the man a break. Good luck in the future with your situation,T.I. I love all your music.

Posted by: Tasha at March 23, 2005 02:26 PM (Lkll8)

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