KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Representative Gloria Johnson has voiced strong opposition to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office taking over operations at the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center, insisting that oversight and management should instead be handled by the state.
The controversy surrounding the Bean Center intensified in 2023 after reports surfaced alleging the facility’s director had been placing juveniles in solitary confinement for extended periods. Following recent developments, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs revealed that two employees, including the center’s only nurse, were terminated after filing complaints with state authorities about conditions at the detention center.
Mayor Jacobs subsequently called for the Knox County Sheriff’s Office to assume control of the facility in response to the troubling reports.
Sheriff Tom Spangler issued a statement acknowledging awareness of the center’s challenges, emphasizing the department’s commitment to juvenile safety and pledging full cooperation with both the mayor and state officials to resolve ongoing issues.
Despite these developments, Rep. Johnson remains adamant that the sheriff’s office should not oversee the facility. “The situation at the Bean Center has gone from unacceptable to worse,” she said. “The abuse of power and mismanagement at this juvenile facility have been well documented for far too long—and it’s putting vulnerable children at risk.”
Johnson highlighted concerns about retaliation against staff members attempting to uphold legal and ethical standards. “The firing of staff members who are trying to follow the law raises serious red flags. This isn’t just a leadership problem—it’s a crisis of accountability,” she said.
The legislator called for immediate state oversight and a “stable, competent” administration dedicated to the wellbeing of the youth in custody. “The Knox County Sheriff’s Office has no business overseeing a juvenile facility—period. This responsibility should be put to the state, and it’s long past time for state officials to step up and do their job,” Johnson added.
The debate over control of the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center underscores wider concerns about juvenile justice management and accountability in Knox County as officials seek solutions that prioritize the safety and dignity of children in state custody.
