Media

State of Tennessee Certifies Operations At The Shelby County Jail

Release Date: January 30, 2004

Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. announced today that for the first time in 15 years, the Shelby County Jail has received State of Tennessee Certification for providing safe, secure, and effective living standards at both the men's and women's facilities.

“This is a most significant accomplishment. One of my top priorities as Sheriff was for our jail facilities to regain their State of Tennessee Certification . This intense effort from the Chief Jailer, his management team, Corrections Deputies and support staff clearly shows commitment and dedication. I commend them for a job well done,” said Sheriff Luttrell.

Since 1988, the Shelby County Jail has not met operational standards set by the State of Tennessee Correctional Institute. TCI inspected the Shelby County Jail several times during the past 15 years. On each evaluation, the facility failed inspection. A year ago, Sheriff Luttrell enacted a strategic plan to correct the violations.

In his letter to Sheriff Luttrell, C. David Hensley, Executive Director of the Tennessee Corrections Institute said, “The Tennessee Corrections Institute recently inspected the Shelby County Jail. The inspection revealed that this facility meets all applicable minimum standards.you are to be congratulated for attaining this degree of professionalism in your organization.”

TCI certification is based on the jail's policies and procedures for:

• Overcrowding
• Physical Plant
• Administrative/Management
• Personnel
• Security
• Disciplinary Actions
• Sanitation and Maintenance
• Food Services
• Mail Services
• Inmate Visiting
• Programs and Activities
• Medical Services
• Admissions
• Records
• Release
• Hygiene
• Supervision of Prisoners
• Classification of Prisoners

The T.C.I. made the presentation to Sheriff Luttrell and members of his administrative and jail staff at a ceremony in Nashville yesterday.