Rutherford County Adult Detention Center was recommended for certification by the Tennessee Corrections Institute after a Sept. 12 inspection of the facility.

In a Sept. 16 letter to Sheriff Robert Arnold, TCI Executive Director Beth Ashe said the facility met all applicable standards. After approval from the Rutherford County Commission, the Adult Detention Center will receive a certificate of certification.

“You are to be congratulated for attaining this degree of professionalism in your organization,” Director Ashe stated.

The inspectors found the jail met every standard and only cited two recommendations, including adding more employees in the jail and installing a fence around the perimeter of the jail to provide for the safety of staff, inmates and citizens.

Sheriff Arnold said inspectors who discussed the findings with him commented the staff improved the jail facility from the poor conditions when he took office three years ago.

“We are now excellent due to the efforts of everyone here,” Sheriff Arnold said. “We are still striving for excellence.”

Jail capacity is 958 inmates. The facility housed 673 males and 177 females for a total of 850 inmates Sept. 12, the day of the inspection. The average daily population for the last three months was 800.

The Sept. 12 population showed:

• Inmates held for transfer to Tennessee Department of Correction custody: 239, including 206 males and 33 females.
• Inmates sentenced to serve time at the jail: 224.
• Inmates waiting for trial: 387.

Total annual budget for the jail is $15 million.

Photo: Deputy Jason Fuqua paints a door in a pod. 

Source:

Lisa Marchesoni, Public information officer - Rutherford County Sheriff's Office