RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. — The Rutherford County Adult Detention Center has undergone significant changes over the years, evolving alongside a county that continues to grow at a rapid pace. Once considered adequate for local needs, the jail now faces mounting pressure from a steadily increasing inmate population, raising serious questions about capacity, longevity, and what comes next... That was Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr.

County officials acknowledge that the current jail is routinely operating at or above its intended capacity. The need for additional jail space is driven by population growth, longer pretrial detention periods, and an overall criminal justice system both locally and statewide that is also strained by court backlogs caused by growth... County jails across the country face similar challenges as their communities grow, in part because locally operated detention facilities are required to meet federally mandated standards related to size, capacity, and conditions of confinement. These requirements are rooted in the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against “cruel and unusual punishment.” Overcrowding is a primary factor that can lead to unconstitutional jail conditions, a problem that has drawn national attention in several jurisdictions, including Shelby County, home to Memphis, as Mayor Carr pointed out...

The facility houses a mix of inmates awaiting trial, individuals already convicted but pending sentencing, and those scheduled to reappear before the Rutherford County Circuit or General Sessions Courts for hearings. Adding to the overcrowded population are the convicted and sentenced inmates awaiting transfer to a state facility... The issues have become more difficult to manage year after year.

According to the Rutherford County Mayor, the county will be required to build a new jail within the next five years. His statement highlights a growing concern about whether the existing facility has a realistic long-term life expectancy that would allow for the current structure to be added onto? The mayor responded... However, he emphasized that an engineer must properly examine the building and the land around it before determining whether the existing structure can be expanded or if additional floors could be added.

Preliminary estimates for a new jail range between $300 million and $400 million, a price tag that has sparked debate over how such a project could be funded without increasing property taxes. County leaders are at the beginning stages of exploring options that could include bonds or financing options to reduce the immediate burden on taxpayers.

The urgency of the discussion is fueled by reality inside the jail walls. Overcapacity situations have become common, placing strain on staff, infrastructure, and county resources. As Rutherford County continues to grow, so too does the demand on its detention system—making the question no longer if a new jail is needed, but how and when the county will move forward.

• Hear the entire interview with the mayor HERE.