KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Knox County Commission voted 8-1 with two abstaining to give control of the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center to the Juvenile Court Judge.
The county originally planned to have the Knox County Sheriff’s Office run the center starting July 1, 2026, but in January, the center’s board of directors voted unanimously to recommend a different course of action. One potential option was to place it under control of Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin who said he was ready to run it.
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On Wednesday, the county commission passed an ordinance giving him control starting April 1. This was only the first reading, however, so the commission will need to vote again at the next meeting which is scheduled for March 23.
The ordinance would also create an advisory board for the center composed of seven members to replace the current board of directors. An amendment was attached saying that the county commission must confirm all members of the advisory board.
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The longtime director of the facility, Richard Bean, stepped down last year after receiving heavy criticism. Since then, the county has been looking for a new leader. Brian Bivens was made the interim director, but he soon resigned saying the facility was neither safe nor secure…