Penal facilities in Tennessee that are operated under the oversight of county sheriff’s are inspected annually by TCI to ensure compliance with all applicable standards. Inspections involve all aspects of the care of inmates and the safety of the correction staff. Inspections are not announced in advance.

Capt. Gabe Thomas, jail supervisor, said the inspection went well and no serious deficiencies were noted in the inspector’s report.

An inspection covers 14 primary categories. Certified facilities are those found to comply with or exceed each of the standards as they apply to that facility.

Jails where too many deficiencies are found are subject to de-certification by the TCI board.

The Bradley County jail is designed to hold 408 inmates.

Thomas said he is pleased with the outcome of the inspection and he gives credit to the hard work of each person who works in the jail.

“We have one of the best staffs in our area,” Thomas said, adding the emphasis on training places them among the most qualified correction officers in the state.

“Our in-house training program, the Corrections Academy, goes well beyond the state’s minimum requirements to equip our staff for the myriad of situations they may encounter in a facility of our size.”

Sheriff Tim Gobble said he was pleased with the inspector’s findings and he congratulated Capt. Thomas and the entire staff for their diligence operating the jail.

The jail has been certified since it was occupied in May 2004. Using the direct supervision philosophy of inmate behavior monitoring and management, correction officers are given the ability to intervene in potential problems before they develop to the point of causing injury to other inmates or the staff. Capt. Thomas said direct supervision reduces the potential for injury in comparison to sites where indirect supervision is used.

He also explained that being certified reduces the likelihood of inmate lawsuits challenging conditions in the jail. “It says we take the responsibility of inmate care seriously,” Thomas said.

Jail inspections involve these critical areas:  

• Physical Plant
• Administration/Management
• Personnel
• Security
• Discipllne
• Sanitation / Maintenance
• Food Services
• Mail and Visiting
• Prisoner programs and activities
• Medical Services
• Admission Records and Release
• Hygiene
• Supervision of Prisoners
• Classification

The jail is equipped to meet all inmate needs. The county provides staffing for the entire operation excluding the medical unit and food service that are contracted to private vendors. This arrangement has projected savings over providing these services in-house.

TCI inspects jails once a year unless conditions warrant frequent visits. The Bradley County Grand Jury also conducts periodic inspections of the facility and reports their findings to the Criminal Court of the county.