Confession Leads To Arrest In Perdue Burglary Case
Monterey Police made an arrest Monday following an investigation of items being stolen at the former Perdue Chicken Plant off Interstate 40. Police arrested Robert Wayne Phillips on burglary, theft, and vandalism charges. Phillips confessed to the break-in. Officers responded to the 340,000 square foot facility Monday morning. Two employees reported several items missing and […]
Putnam Increasing Revenue For Housing State Inmates
Putnam County will receive additional yearly revenue thanks to the county jail receiving a higher certification to house state inmates. Sheriff Eddie Farris said the Tennessee Corrections Institute has a two-tiered program that sets a daily rate for jails to house state inmates. Farris said in 2022, the county jail became a tier one facility, […]
Visitations And Phone Services Temporarily Down At Jail
Inmate visitations and phone services at the Putnam County Jail halted temporarily after thunderstorms this week caused issues. Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said lightning struck a server that operates the inmate phone system and visitation kiosks. Both systems are expected to be out of service for seven to ten days. Farris said he is […]
Putnam Cuts Ribbon On Jail Expansion
Putnam County officially cut the ribbon on its jail expansion Thursday afternoon. Sheriff Eddie Farris thanked residents for the tax dollar investment, the last two sheriffs as well as the current and previous county commissions for making the 119,000 square foot expansion possible. “As most of you know, operating and managing a jail in Tennessee […]
Putnam Expanded Jail Set For Thursday Open
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department is set to open the new 130,000-square-foot jail addition this week. County Sheriff Eddie Farris said the staff is excited to open the expanded facility. Farris said the facility should help improve conditions for inmates, per state law, caused by overcrowding. “We have been notoriously low as far as inmate […]
Upperman Fishing Team Treasurer Indicted
The former treasurer of the Upperman High School Fishing Team Booster Club booked into the Putnam County Jail Tuesday on charges of theft. Rosemary Downs reported in April for possible theft. An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office with assistance for the District Attorney’s office ensued. The Comptroller’s Office revealed evidence supporting the allegations. The […]
Putnam Commissioners Approve Work Release Program
The Putnam County Sheriffs Department will launch a new work release program when the expanded jail opens. Putnam County Commissioners approved the program Monday night. Sheriff Eddie Farris said up to 30 inmates could participate. He said inmates could either qualify to continue working existing jobs and serve time at night, or be selected to […]
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 […]
5 Inmates Overdose From Fentanyl, Heroine In Putnam Jail
Five female inmates overdosed in the Putnam County Jail after illegal drugs were smuggled into the facility. Sheriff Eddie Farris said fentanyl and heroine were involved in the incident. Farris said the presence of fentanyl has led to a much higher rate of overdosing compared to the other drugs that have been smuggled into jails […]
Sheriff Nearing Contract With US Marshall For Inmates
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department is in the final stages of securing a contract with the U.S. Marshall’s Office to house federal inmates in the soon-to-be-expanded jail. Sheriff Eddie Farris said a deal is just a “few dollars away.” He said he is trying to ensure that the department gets every dollar possible from the […]
