State Senator Jeff Mullis was frank in his assessment of the situation at Hays State Prison in Pennville saying, "It's a travesty….we should not be living in fear of a prison (located in our community.)"  Mullis was one of several who met with Department of Corrections officials on Monday of this week concerning the problems that have plagued the state prison.  Mullis said that Corrections officials have ensured the legislative delegation that represents Chattooga County (Mullis, Senator Chuck Hufsetler and Rep. Eddie Lumsden) along with Chattooga County Commissioner Jason Winters that measures are being taken to improve the problems at the prison.  According to information received by AM 1180 those problems include locks that do not work, extortion of people outside the prison by inmates, a shortage of correctional officers along with other issues.  Mullis said the recent publicity surrounding family members of inmates being extorted by gangs or inmates within the prison is particularly disturbing.  Also, Mullis said that Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader should be kept up to date with the security measures at the prison.  You can hear Senator Mullis' comments in a Newsmakers Interview on AM 1180 that will air on Thursday.  The interview will air following the 8 AM Newscast and then again in the noon hour following the Trading Post program.  Following the broadcast of the interview, AM 1180 will post the audio of the interview to our blog where you can listen at your own convenience.