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Rutherford County advances six-month programming study to address jail overcrowding
Summary
After presentations from CTAS and corrections consultants showing routine overcrowding and aging facilities, the commission voted to fund a six-month programming phase to define options (renovation, new build, site selection) and send funding questions to the budget office.
The Rutherford County Commission voted to advance a six-month programming study to evaluate options for renovating or replacing the county jail and consolidating related law-enforcement facilities.
Consultants told commissioners that the county’s detention capacity, listed in the study as 977 beds, routinely exceeds safe classification thresholds. "The capacity of your facility is currently 977 beds," Jim Hart, jail consultant with the University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service, said, adding that the commonly used 85% classification threshold is 830 beds and that the jail logged 1,160 inmates on Jan. 22. Hart said his projections extend to 2045 and forecast substantial growth that will increase correctional needs if current trends continue.
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