Three deputies at the Hinds County, Miss., Detention Center in Raymond were fired Tuesday for selling contraband such as snacks and cell phones to inmates, Hinds County Undersheriff Bill Gowan said.

A fourth deputy who also was under investigation resigned before being served his termination notice, Gowan said.

Gowan would not release the names of the deputies, calling the issue a "personnel matter." They will not face criminal charges, he said. The deputies, two probationary employees with less than a year's experience on the job and two tenured employees, also sold inmates cigarettes and personal hygiene items, Gowan said.

It's the second time within the last two years the Sheriff's Department has fired employees at the detention center. In 2003, a jailer and three supervisors were fired for providing contraband to inmates, including food, marijuana and cell phones. Women also were smuggled into the jail to have sex with their husbands or boyfriends.

At least one of the employees terminated Tuesday had yet to be notified. Gowan said the tenured deputies have a right to dispute their termination during a disciplinary review.

Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin told The Clarion Ledger on Monday that five people would be fired. Gowan said five were under investigation, but the investigation revealed one of the deputies was not involved. Gowan said no additional preventative measures are needed to ensure such activities won't occur again because they already have "standard operating procedures."