Loudon County Corrections Partnership committee members met Jan. 28 at the Justice Center to continue working toward resolving the county’s growing need for added jail and courtroom space.
In the first meeting since July 2014 when Moseley Architects presented its needs assessment report for the current facilities and options for addressing overcrowding, members heard remarks from Tennessee Corrections Institute Detention Facilities Specialist Bob Bass and University of Tennessee County Technical Assistant Service Jail Management Consultant Jim Hart. The committee also took a tour around the Justice Center to help members better understand the facility’s current state.
The committee attempted to meet formally earlier this month but failed to have a quorum.
“One of the things I did notice in that meeting (with Moseley) was that core price, that’s called sticker shock, but they have to do that,” Bass said. “When they start talking about an operation in putting a facility up, it gives you some kind of base talk to look at. The end of the day, let’s not forget that what I preached in the original meeting I had with you is this, and I’m going to restate that. We don’t let architects tell us what they’re going to build.”
Bass urged members to consider a facility that will not only address the present, but also the future, with “bells and whistles.”
“Some people might consider video visitation a little fancy, but you know what? It relates directly to that staff,” Bass said. “Now I don’t have to hire that extra staff and move inmates in and out of that visitation booth. So, (it’s) a little more expensive up front, but in the long run it could save us money.”
Moseley Architects outlined three options to address inmate overcrowding during an earlier meeting in November 2013. One possibility includes building a $47.3 million facility to hold all law enforcement and court operations, along with a 278-bed jail that could hold a capacity of 400 inmates. Another option is constructing just a jail for $24 million. The third option includes adding a new jail and courtroom space for $44 million and leaving the Sheriff’s Office at its current location at the Justice Center.
Chairman Russell Johnson asked Bass for his opinion on the three options that were on the table. Members voted in County Commissioner Leo Bradshaw as vice chairman of the jail committee and Johnson as chairman. General Sessions Judge Rex Dale officially stepped down as chairman due to his judicial responsibilities, but he will still serve on the committee.
Bass said expansion of the current facility is not likely, based on the property’s configuration. Most facilities open for expansion have room for growth already in place when they’re first designed, he said.
“What happens to us sometimes, you take a facility like this, somewhat antiquated, now it’s a real challenge for the architects to integrate that expansion,” Bass said. “Again, some of the things I just talked about, would the property work and what kind of shape the physical plant’s in, and it can become costly. Sometimes it’s better to walk away and find another use for that.”
Bass said the facility’s infrastructure could prove to be troublesome if the county decides to expand or renovate the Justice Center. Bass said he liked the idea of using the current Justice Center as a building dedicated to the Sheriff’s Office, and using the jail for storage space and training.
“I appreciate the professionalism that you’re doing and the steps you’re taking, and you’re not rushing into anything,” he said. “You’re being good stewards to taxpayers’ money. You’re keeping the public informed. Continue down that path. Let’s make good sound judgments.”
The committee is scheduled to meet again at noon Feb. 18 in the Justice Center training room. Members plan to tour surrounding county jails to get some ideas before the next meeting.
