Zoning ordinance could block prison role-playing at local jail

            Hampton officials believe future role-playing activities at the former Franklin County Jail could violate portions of the city’s zoning ordinance.
            Hampton City Manager Ron Dunt informed jail owner Mark Gudmundsen Wednesday that his current plan for the building includes “adult-oriented” activities. Gudmundsen, who purchased the jail in mid-March, intends to open a role-playing business for individuals who want to experience prison without committing a crime. The Arizona man also plans to offer ghost tours and other programs.
            However, city officials claim some of those activities “appear to be adult entertainment.”
            “If he chooses to open and offer the activities that are on the [jail’s] website, it’s our position that they could be violations and we’ll enforce our ordinance,” Dunt said.
            In a previous interview, Gudmundsen said he intends to use handcuffs and other restraints during role-playing activities. The plan created concerns for city officials after images and videos were discovered last week on MenInChains.com and SlaveBound.com, which show Gudmundsen restrained by “extreme non-sexual bondage” items like chains, ropes and cages. The Hampton jail was also named on SlaveBound.com under a tab listing prison role-playing locations, but the post has since been removed.
            The websites are not pornographic, but do warn that some visitors might find the content disturbing. Gudmundsen, who writes a blog on SlaveBound.com, said in a previous interview that he did not intend to use the jail for bondage purposes. He also said the rules of the jail prohibit sexual activity or contact of any kind.
            City officials don’t believe the claims. Zoning Administrator Doug Tarr claimed Gudmundsen didn’t mention many of the activities listed on the jail’s website during meetings before he purchased the property. Tarr initially believed Gudmundsen’s business would adhere to zoning laws and said “it was a kind of unique concept.”
            “Things that have been indicated now aren’t, in my opinion, a 100 percent portrayal of what was being proposed to me originally,” he said. “I’m a little taken aback.”
            Tarr said Gudmundsen’s involvement with the two bondage websites “would have been a 100 percent red flag” had he known about them before last week. However, local officials were unaware until additional details surfaced March 24.
            Tarr and Dunt said they consulted with legal counsel before informing Gudmundsen about the possibility of future zoning violations. The jail sits in a commercially-zoned district, which does not permit “adult-oriented” businesses. According to Hampton’s zoning code, those businesses are only allowed in districts zoned heavy-industrial like the Hampton Industrial Park.
            Dunt didn’t specify which portions of the ordinance the jail activities would violate. He said he only met with Gudmundsen Wednesday to relay the city’s opinion on the matter. No formal action has been taken.
            Dunt also pointed out that some of the activities listed on the jail website are for adults only.
            “Right now since he’s not open, there’s no violation of any ordinance,” he said. “But we feel some of the activities mentioned on the website certainly do appear to be adult entertainment.”
            A message left with Gudmundsen was not immediately returned.
            Hampton’s adult-oriented business ordiance can be found here on pages 39-42.
            Update on March 31 at 10:00 a.m.: The article was updated with a correction. The jail sits in a commercially-zoned district, not arterial transition.
            Look for additional coverage in the April 6 edition of the Hampton Chronicle.