NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- With several jail and prison escapes reported in recent months, the question is being asked: Why so many escapes?

Video: Escapes Raise Questions About Jails, Prisons

State sheriffs said they know what's contributing to the problem but finding solutions is the hard part.

When those who deal with jail inmates are asked about why people escape, they give about a dozen answers collectively.

Most said it comes down to an increase in responsibilities and a decrease in resources.

Dekalb, Robertson, Hickman and Hamblen counties are just some of the jails with recent escapees.

But any sheriff will say that escapes are going to happen just about anywhere.

“The individual that is incarcerated, some of them are constantly thinking of ways to get out. We have to be diligent in ways to make sure they don't,” said Davidson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy John Ford.

Those in the industry said there's no blanket answer but that it comes down to numbers, facilities and human error.

The numbers cited are more inmates and fewer staff.

Some sheriffs said it's a problem only made worse by the state because their jails are also home to violent state prisoners.

“We're concerned about it. We keep brining those concerns up in the Legislature. We would like to do away with state prisoners. There's just not enough space to go around,” said David Davenport, president of the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association.

Many jails around the state are old and in bad shape, and for many counties, building a new jail is usually on the bottom of the priority list.

Human error is also a contributor.

All jail workers go through training to prevent escapes and are constantly on guard for any warnings or attempts. But the bottom line is that mistakes happen, officials said.

“As officers stay in the field for many years, they become complacent. It's like any job that's routine and we constantly battle against complacency whether it's training, whether it's moving people to areas,” said Ford.

Davenport said that currently, the state pays local jails a fee to house state inmates. But he's hoping that the Legislature will increase that fee so they will be better equipped to house those inmates.

All jails go through accreditation and inspection by the Tennessee Corrections Iinstitute. That group also trains officers on how to prevent escapes.