Rutherford County Sheriff's Office
Adult Detention

The Rutherford County Adult Detention Center is a combined facility under the sheriff of the county. All inmates within that facility are provided with a safe, secure and humane environment for staff, inmates and the community.

The Rutherford County Adult Detention center is a primary holding facility that confines pretrial male and female inmates as well as sentenced prisoners in a popular single cell environment. The detention facility operates its own kitchen and laundry facilities and provides medical services, a library, a law library and outdoor recreation area for use of residents. The facility complies with the laws of  Rutherford County, the State of  Tennessee and the United States.

REPRINT FROM THE DAILY NEWS JOURNAL - MARCH 29, 2004

Hard place to learn a lesson
By Lisa Marchesoni / DNJ Staff Writer
 
Operating one of the state’s toughest jails with no frills deters prisoners from repeating crimes, Sheriff Truman Jones believes.

The sheriff recalls an inmate who was released and then thanked him for the rigid environment.

“He was a pretty rough character,” Jones said, describing the man who spent his life in and out of jail.

The sheriff said the prisoner told him: “This place taught me a lesson. I’ll never be locked up again.”

That’s exactly what Jones wants to hear.

About 750 prisoners are now doing time inside the jail at 940 New Salem Highway where the maximum sentence is eight years. Twenty-five percent of the inmates are state prisoners.

Circuit Court Judge Don Ash noted from the bench recently that prisoners would rather be in state custody with more privileges than be incarcerated in the county jail.

Jones said the facility provides basic needs in a safe and healthy environment for prisoners with no smoking allowed.

“Safety is the No. 1 issue,” the sheriff maintains.

Inmates can read about current events in The Daily News Journal, but Jones doesn’t offer any “frills” like television, radios or cigarettes.

“This is considered one of the toughest, if not the toughest, in the entire state,” Jones said. “We’re not going to make this a stay they’re going to enjoy.”

The jail staff maintain complete control of the prisoners at all times through a rigid environment but treat the inmates fairly.

“We’re not here to entertain the prisoners,” Jones said. “If you make the environment enjoyable to prisoners here, it really doesn’t send a message to them.”

Because of the high medical costs, inmates pay $1 for medicines.

“It gives them a feeling they are doing something to care for their needs,” the sheriff said. “They need to be responsible somewhat for a lot of the benefits here.”

Jones is conscious of people who work two jobs to provide health care and other benefits for their family.

“You can’t commit crimes against society and not expect to pay for some things offered,” the sheriff said.

***
When prisoners enter the jail to await trial or serve a sentence, the jail staff pats them down and takes all personal property. Inmates are fingerprinted and photographed and can make telephone calls.

Inmates shower and change into the facility uniform: orange for pretrial prisoners and trusties, blue for people convicted of misdemeanors, green for people convicted of felonies and red for prisoners in segregation, protective custody or high-risk categories.

Prisoners are given sandals, a mattress, blankets and personal hygiene items.

Capt. Curtis Little said the state approved doubling prisoners in cells for a maximum capacity of 958.

Nevertheless, he said, “The county has only approved the staff for 484.”

Lt. Bernard Salandy described the typical day for prisoners beginning with breakfast at 7 a.m. followed by showers and cleaning cells until 10 a.m.

Families who want to visit must undergo a background check and can’t have a felony record. Once approved, families may schedule visitation after the first week.

Jail administrator Maj. Bob Asbury said glass separates the inmate and the family. Offices monitor visitation from a catwalk.

“We have to monitor some women who put on a show for their husbands,” Asbury said with a laugh. “Men don’t, believe it or not.”

During the mornings and afternoons, prisoners mingle in the outdoor recreation area and common area of the pod. They make collect telephone calls or read paperback books from the jail library, play cards, chess or checkers, all games they must pay for through money donated by their families.

Asbury said prisoners use the money to buy items such as candy, snacks, games and personal hygiene items through the commissary each week.

The county recovers a certain percentage of the commissary payment to help defray jail costs, the sheriff said.

Prisoners alternate eating in the pod tables and in 8-by-12-foot cells they share with a roommate. Sparse cells contain two beds, a sink, commode, window, bench, table, unbreakable mirror, light and emergency call button.

Inmates may participate in General Education Diploma (GED) and Bible study, parenting classes, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings and church services.

“Jail is a consequence for their actions,” Asbury noted. “It gives them time to reflect and change themselves. The change comes from within.”

Lockdown occurs between 8:30 and 9 p.m.

Salandy said inmates become healthier within a few weeks due to three balanced meals per day, medication and lack of tobacco and alcohol.

“I don’t consider them being arrested. They’re rescued,” Salandy said.

Asbury noted the staff considers the taxpayers in the way they operate the jail without frills but with fiscal responsibility.

***
The jail staff allows some prisoners, termed trusties, to work under supervision by cleaning bathrooms, emptying trash, washing cars, cooking, mowing and maintaining the building, often by painting and installing tile.

“They save the county a lot of money on upkeep of the building,” Asbury said.

State law allows trusties to work off one day of their sentence for every day of labor.

Food services Sgt. Nancy Loyd and her staff supervise trusties who cook hot breakfasts and suppers. Lunch consists of cold sandwiches, soup, chips or salads.

“We are only required to give two meals a day, but the sheriff wants three meals a day,” Loyd said.

A dietitian approves meals based on the food pyramid. Inmates get balanced meals of 2,600 calories per day with milk, protein, fruits and vegetables daily. Desserts are offered only when available at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“They eat better than they do on the outside,” Loyd said.

Because the inmates lack the frills, “all they have to look forward to is the food,” the sergeant said. Portion sizes are uniform.

“If they don’t like it, then don’t come to jail,” Loyd said.

***
Inmates who need help after being released may consider the Franklin Road Baptist Church’s Reformers Anonymous program at 7 p.m. every Friday at the church on Franklin Road, Little said.

The program addresses drug, alcohol, nicotine and pornography addictions.

“They don’t care what your addiction is,” Little said.
 

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