MORRISTOWN, Tenn. — The Hamblen County Jail has long struggled with overcrowding, Sheriff Chad Mullins said, with the current facility often holding as many as 400 inmates despite having only about 250 beds.
This overcrowding has contributed to frequent altercations among inmates, creating daily safety concerns for both prisoners and staff. The sheriff highlighted the challenges of managing cells that sometimes house six to eight people, compared to the new jail’s design, which will feature two-man cells aimed at improving safety and control.
The new $100 million jail, located next door to the existing facility, was originally scheduled to open in October 2024. However, construction delays have pushed the anticipated opening date back nearly a year. Sheriff Mullins now expects the larger facility to be ready by August 2025. The expanded jail will offer at least 600 beds, significantly increasing capacity.
Along with the larger space, comes the challenge of staffing. Mullins reported difficulty in recruiting enough personnel to operate the new facility, noting that the department still needs to hire 30 additional staff members. Pay disparities with neighboring counties have been a key obstacle in attracting qualified candidates.
To address staffing concerns, the Hamblen County Commission recently passed a first reading of a proposal to increase pay for sheriff’s office employees and jail staff by 10 percent, which would raise hourly wages to approximately $20. The pay raise requires a second reading before it can be finalized.
Sheriff Mullins emphasized that the new jail will not only provide more room but also create a safer environment for inmates and employees alike, marking a significant improvement over the overcrowded conditions currently faced.
