DeKalb Leaders Working On Master Plan For Jail

DeKalb County officials excited to take the next steps forward in improving their jail operations and standards.

County leaders met with officials from the Tennessee Correctional institute and CTAS this week. County Mayor Matt Adcock said the meeting is the first of several planned after TCI officials met with then-county leaders several years ago on structural deficiencies in the jail.

“Nothing was explained in this meeting as far as what repairs would need to be made or really identifying any real problems but it was more of like an educational thing for us to look at us in the future,” Adcock said. “When problems are identified, the proper procedure for how to get a plan of action started.”

Adcock said they learned from TCI Deputy Director what is required to maintain jail certification and the importance of it for the safety of inmates and jail employees.

Adcock said they have set up another meeting in February to make a more concrete master plan for the jail operations. He said after COVID slowed the process of getting their jail back up to speed, it feels good to be making positive changes.

“All those involved in the jail and the court system, we’re all very open to what the director of TCI, Mr. Bob Bass was saying the other night,” Adcock said. “And we’re looking forward to making changes and keeping our public safe.”

The group will meet again in February to get a more concrete master plan in place for moving forward.