New McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara has removed the microwaves from the county's jail on Hwy 6.  They've been there for decades - a money-making scheme for the previous sheriff (allowed by law to all sheriffs in Texas if they want to go that route) who sold nuke-able food to the inmates. 

But when the sheriff's department asked taxpayers for $85 grand last year to upgrade wiring in the jail - the frequent use of the microwaves was tripping the breakers too often - county commissioners, and taxpayers, weren't too thrilled to be footing the bill for someone who had done something bad to kick back and eat his warm, buttery popcorn at our expense. 

The previous sheriff defended the practice arguing it helped control the inmates and make the population more manageable.  I'm sure it did. 

McNamara, not wanting the jail to resemble a spa on Hwy 6 or have some of the same luxuries of home for that matter, took them out.  I guess the inmate will have to get by somehow.

 

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