RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WGNS News) – In 1998, the population of Rutherford County totaled approximately 171,404 residents. Since that time, the number of residents has risen by nearly 129%, reaching an estimated population of 392,000 people today. Despite that growth, the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center has seen very little change over the past 28 years. As a result, Rutherford County Sheriff Kenneth Barrett shared one of his top concerns regarding the jail…
In the late 1980s, the jail that sits at 940 New Salem Highway was built. Around 10 years later, county commissioners approved the construction of a new multistory complex that was completed in 1998. After the new addition opened nearly 30 years ago, one problem remained – – the number of inmates continued to exceed the number the facility was designed to hold. Currently, the average daily inmate population at the local jail stands at a little over 1,000…
The detention center was designed to hold up to 500 inmates in 1998. After past modifications were completed, it is now allowed to hold around 975 inmates. But the actual capacity continues to average 1,050 and 1,100 inmates daily…