Sheriff's Office In Process Of Moving, Work Continues on Justice Center, Jail

January 4, 2020

Dayton, TN -- Dayton, TN – The highly anticipated Rhea County Justice Center complex nears completion. The Sheriff’s Department has diligently begun the move-in process to the newly anticipated facility and will continue to do so in the weeks to come. The justice center will be the focus point for completion this coming week, primarily the lobby and jail areas. The facility is currently working on installing major electrical components that includes control panels, computers, camera systems, along with other state of the art equipment that is being adjusted and/or perfected to meet the facility’s needs.

The new justice center will occupy a total of 94,000 square feet. Included in the complex are the Sheriff’s Department, corrections & jail housing, courtrooms, judges’ & staff offices, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Probation & Parole, among other local government agencies. Future plans for the doctor offices located to the south and north end will soon become available for justice related businesses, including the Children’s Advocacy Center, according to plans.

Work began at the site of the old Rhea County Medical Center and has progressed in a timely fashion, despite COVID-19 delays. While the cost of the facility was originally bid at $23 million, it is currently running under budget, thanks to the efforts of the Department’s project team and advisors.
The jail will be equipped with video visitation capabilities allowing inmates to see and speak with family and friends via video technology that will be installed in the cell pods. A nurse’s station will be available on sight to ensure health standards are met for everyone. It will also include a laundry facility, a full food service, and other amenities required for the day-to-day function and operation of the jail.The facility will have restricted areas strictly designated for approximately 50 “low risk” inmates, trustees, that provide work for the jail and other local county offices. The current capacity for the detention center has been approved for 342 inmates; however, this number could increase, if needed.

The complex will house a state-of-the-art emergency management room with advanced communication equipment, tools, and other resources – including, but not limited to, video screens that can be efficiently utilized during emergency situations by our local personal.

Rhea County has been paying $37 per day to house 70 to 80 inmates that are now in Rhea County custody due to the mere maximum capacity of only 88 prisoners at the current jail.