Tampa Police Clear Out Entire Jail For Potential GOP Convention Protesters Arrests

WFTS-TAMPA – A big factor during the RNC is the potential for a large number of arrests. In anticipation, in an unprecedented move, Hillsborough County jail officials announced one facility is completely cleared and essentially reconstructed just for the Republican National Convention.The man in charge, Colonel Jim Previtera, took charge as he walked us through the Orient Road Jail. The colonel began in the carport, where, he said, “The inmates will be unloaded, they will be searched and walked through a metal detector which has been added for this event.” The entire facility has been transformed. At around noon Wednesday, the last of the inmates, excluding a dozen or so trustees prepared to handle cooking and cleaning duties, were moved out to nearby Falkenburg Road Jail. Anyone arrested during the RNC will be brought to Orient Road Jail.