Detention

Rutherford County
Juvenile Detention Center

Introduction

Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center is a 46-bed facility, located in Murfreesboro Tennessee. We provide secure housing for juveniles 12-18 years of age who are awaiting court dispositions or awaiting transportation to a permanent placement.

Besides providing necessary beds for Rutherford County youths, we provide contract beds for 22 other Tennessee counties, the State of Tennessee, the U.S. Marshall's office and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Confidentiality of all records and information concerning detained youths is strictly maintained. Access to records shall be limited to individuals who demonstrate a "right and need to know" or who have received written authorization by the child and their parent/guardian. Medical information shall only be released upon receipt of a written authorization.

History

The Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center was established in November of 1993. Previously, Rutherford County contracted with surrounding Counties for detention beds. Rutherford County opened it's own facility when finding juvenile detention beds became near impossible. Initially, the Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center was a 14-bed facility. It was only a matter of time before the department had to expand to our present capacity.

Establishing the Juvenile Detention Center in Murfreesboro accomplished several things:

	The Rutherford County Youth Services Office was able to discontinue their procedure of going out on calls after hours on juvenile arrests.
	Area law enforcement officers can return to active service more rapidly after placing a juvenile under arrest.
	Juvenile arrested on serious charges, who are a threat to the community, will be detained.
	The juvenile population of Rutherford County now fully understands the consequences of being charged with a serious criminal offense.