Sheriff Pushing For New Inmate Work Program
Putnam County Commissioners will consider a new work release program for inmates who wish to gain employment while incarcerated. Sheriff Eddie Farris said the jail renovations are designed to allow this type of program. He said the department would receive an administrative fee from participating businesses and another chunk of the money inmates earn would […]
Van Buren & Warren Teaming Up To Extradite Inmates From New York
Law Enforcement Agencies in Van Buren and Warren Counties working together to extradite two inmates currently behind bars in New York. Van Buren County Sheriff Michael Brock said both inmates have active warrants in Van Buren County. He said Warren County agreed to split the $2,000 extradition cost to secure the return of one of […]
Former Overton Correctional Officer Sentenced For Misconduct
A former Overton County correctional officer pleaded guilty to a charge for criminal misconduct after inmates revealed he had sexual contact with them. According to a release, Jesse Mitchell engaged in sexual contact with three incarcerated females inside the Overton County Jail between the months of July and November of 2021. Mitchell was sentenced to […]
Putnam Jail Visitations Suspended Due To Inmate COVID Cases
Visitations at the Putnam County Jail have been suspended for two weeks. Sheriff Eddie Farris said the action was taken to quarantine the facility after multiple inmates tested positive for COVID. “I don’t have an exact number of how many positives that we have, but it was starting to be one here and one there,” […]
Putnam Sheriff Says Jail Expansion Will Affect Offender Sentencing
Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said Monday night’s commission vote to approve a $52.7 million jail expansion bond is a very important moment. Farris said the jail has been under a Tennessee Corrections Institute plan of action to address overcrowding since he became sheriff. Farris said the over 600 beds will affect sentencing for offenders […]
Searches Continue For Escaped Fentress Inmate Near Commerce Dr.
The search continue in Fentress County for one of two inmates that escaped Monday. According to county dispatch, law enforcement is looking for 35-year-old Charles Kennedy in the area of Round Mountain Road and Commerce Drive Thursday. Kennedy stands at 6’4″, weighs 145 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Officials ask residents to not […]
Fentress Authorities Searching For Two Escaped Inmates
The Fentress County Sheriff’s Department searching for two inmates who escaped Monday. Twenty-two-year-old Casey Ridenour and 35-year-old Charles Kennedy were last seen near Highland Manor Winery in Jamestown. Ridenour is 5’11”, 154 pounds and has brown hair, blue eyes and a brown beard. Kennedy stands at 6’4″, 145 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes and […]
Dekalb County Jail To Be Studied For Expansion Possibilities
A decision on whether to expand or build a new Dekalb County Jail is coming for the county commission. Sheriff Patrick Ray said the Tennessee Corrections Institute found the jail’s square footage was not up to standards during an inspection last year. Ray said the pandemic set back a CTAS feasibility study while beds are […]
Fentress Projecting Revenue Drop From Loss Of TDOC Inmates
Fentress County is one of many counties projecting a revenue drop from losing state inmates at its jail. The county has housed as many as 45 state inmates, however County Executive Jimmy Johnson said they are currently at 26 inmates. Johnson said as court proceedings have opened up, the state is coming and picking up […]
Vaccinations Expanded To UC Jailers
County Jailers and correctional officers are now eligible to be COVID vaccinated. The State Health Department announced Friday that the jailers had been overlooked on paper. The jailers had been moved to the 1A1 phase of the vaccine plan. Overton County Sheriff John Garrett said it’s an important change. “Jails and prisons throughout the state […]
