RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — Rutherford County’s jail is over capacity and facing growing safety concerns as county leaders debate potential expansion plans.
During a Public Safety Committee meeting, Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh warned that overcrowding is creating a dangerous environment for both deputies and inmates. The jail was designed to hold 500 people, but with added bunk beds, the capacity is 977. On August 25th, the jail held 1,008 inmates, well above the state’s definition of “full,” which is 85% capacity or about 831 inmates.
The sheriff said overcrowding is contributing to an increase in violence. This year alone:
- 11 deputies have been assaulted
- 55 inmate fights have been reported
A major challenge, Fitzhugh said, comes from state inmates being housed at the county jail instead of state prisons…