WATCH: 7 Things to Know as Hamilton County Opens New Jail Building

Chattanooga, TN — Hamilton County officials have unveiled a new building at the Hamilton County Jail, marking a substantial step forward in the county’s ongoing efforts to expand and renovate its detention facilities. Deputies started booking inmates into the new building at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, showcasing the culmination of a $32 million project.

The New Facility: Key Highlights

1. Increased Capacity for Inmates

The new building adds the capacity to house 128 more inmates than the existing facility, which had space for 1,084 people. As of Tuesday, the jail was already housing 1,110 inmates. Deputy Chief Shaun Shepherd noted that the jail has a constitutional obligation to take in anyone brought in by law enforcement, emphasizing, “We can’t say, ‘Oh, I’m out of beds.'”

2. Upcoming Drug Treatment Program

A drug treatment program is in the works to help inmates dealing with substance abuse. The county has received a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to aid the implementation of this program. The initiative will eventually allow inmates to start medication-assisted treatments like methadone while in jail.

3. New Intake Area

The expansion includes a new intake area where staff will conduct assessments to determine the appropriate security level and any medical or mental health needs. About 70% of inmates have some mental health need, and the new intake process aims to accommodate these effectively.

4. Enhanced Surveillance

There are now nearly 400 new cameras from Johnson Controls, bringing the total to over 600 cameras across the facility. Most of these cameras will also record audio in addition to video. This dual capability is a new feature aimed at enhancing security and monitoring.

5. New Security Fence

The facility now has a higher fence to deter contraband smuggling via throwing over the barriers. Sheriff Austin Garrett also highlighted concerns about drones being used to drop contraband, stating, “You will never eliminate contraband in a facility, you just can’t do it.”

6. Expanded Re-entry Programs

The new facility is expanding its re-entry programs for inmates, including work training and life skills courses. Programs like cosmetology, electrician training, welding, and carpentry aim to help inmates better integrate into society post-incarceration. The jail staff surveys returning inmates to understand what led them back to jail, aiming to improve their support programs.

7. Staffing Improvements

The jail has made considerable strides in addressing its staffing shortages. When Sheriff Austin Garrett took over in September 2022, the jail had 80 staff vacancies. Now, only 11 positions remain unfilled, marking significant progress toward full staffing.

Overall, these developments mark a significant transformation for the Hamilton County Jail, aimed at improving the conditions for both inmates and staff while addressing ongoing issues such as overcrowding and substance abuse.