Creek County gets ready for the return of Scott Eizember

The Creek County jail is preparing for the arrival of Scott Eizember. <br><br>Creek County Sheriffâ€™s deputies hope to leave Texas with Eizember on Monday. News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan looks into

Tuesday, November 25th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Creek County jail is preparing for the arrival of Scott Eizember.

Creek County Sheriffâ€™s deputies hope to leave Texas with Eizember on Monday. News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan looks into the cell that's being saved for Eizember - and the plan to replace Creek County's current lockup.

The Creek County jail is not much to look at. Most of it is underground. Like many county jails it's too small and expensive to maintain. But for all of its faults - at least it's hard to escape.

Dick White, County Jail Authority: "We haven't had an escape from our jail in years, and that's not the problem with our jail, it's not falling apart." Dick White led a county effort to replace the old jail. â€œAfter 30 years, our jail was inadequate.â€ In 2001 - the county passed a sales tax to pay for a new, state of the art lockup with room for twice as many inmates.

It will cost $7.5-million, but it won't be ready in time for Scott Eizember - because it won't be done until next fall. The best thing about the old jail is that it's close to the courthouse. The trial for Eizember will be held right there, just yards from the cell where he'll be staying.

The old jail is almost always full, but a jailer told us they're saving Eizember a spot. And an isolation cell where he is likely to stay. It's stripped clean of anything dangerous. Eizember will get his own room, but will have plenty of company down the hall. Several inmates said they're ready for him. They've been watching the story unfold on television - and can't wait to see him in person.

Authorities in Texas say Eizember could be released from the hospital as soon as Thursday. Extradition will take a couple of days. In the meantime, deputies are guarding Eizember at a Texas hospital and he's in leg cuffs, with wrist restraints.