New Hamblen County Jail opens; sheriff says 300 inmates moved with no incidents

Hamblen County’s new jail and justice center is now fully operational, and Sheriff Mullins said the department completed a planned transfer of about 300 inmates early Monday morning "with 0 incidents."

The sheriff described the transfer as a coordinated, preplanned operation: officers began moving inmates at about 5 a.m., used full-body scanners and conducted searches before placing people into preassigned housing units. "We got all about 300 of them moved over with 0 incidents," the sheriff said, adding the move took roughly three hours and 10 minutes.

The sheriff credited personnel from four neighboring counties — Loudoun County, Washington County, Anderson County and Sullivan County — who provided about 40 officers to assist with the transfer. He said staff morale has improved and that inmates are currently on an initial 22-hour lockdown that will be adjusted based on behavior.

Mayor Merrick Cutshall and other commissioners described the new facility as a long-awaited community investment. Officials said the building includes updated security and processing equipment and that the sheriff’s team had rehearsed procedures in advance to minimize risks.

Commissioners also discussed arranging a public tour of the old facility so residents can see the differences and understand the county’s decision to build a new jail. No formal vote was required for the announcement; the sheriff said operational changes will continue to be refined as staff and inmates settle into the facility.

The commission did not take any additional action at the meeting on jail policy; the sheriff said he would take questions from commissioners and be available for follow up.