RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — The Rutherford County Adult Detention Center is facing severe overcrowding, with the inmate population far exceeding its intended capacity, and officials are sounding the alarm.
Originally designed to house 500 inmates, the jail’s capacity was increased to just over 800 after bunk beds were added. However, the current inmate count stands at 1,008, well beyond the state’s definition of full occupancy, which is 85% of capacity or approximately 831 inmates.
“We got up to 1,080 four weeks ago. They took 80, and I don’t know when that will happen again,” said Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh.
According to Sheriff Fitzhugh, the consequences of overcrowding are already evident. Violence inside the facility has spiked. So far this year, 11 deputies have been assaulted and 55 inmate fights have been reported.
One major contributor to the population surge is the continued housing of state prisoners who should be serving their sentences in state-run facilities…