KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — A newly appointed seven-member advisory board is now overseeing Knox County’s Regional Detention Center as county leaders work to improve operations following the departure of former director Richard Bean.
The board was created after Mayor Glenn Jacobs forced Bean to resign amid accusations that he fired employees who reported concerns about the facility to state officials.
The new board includes attorneys, nurses and social workers. Knox County Commissioner Shane Jackson is the only member who served on the previous board.
Knox County Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin, one of the new board members, said he regularly meets one-on-one with children housed at the detention center to evaluate their treatment and conditions.
“Our kids are being treated humane. I think they’re safe right now. I think some of them would tell me if they’re not,” Irwin said.
Irwin said he spends private time with each juvenile asking whether staff members are treating them appropriately.
“I have some quiet time with each kid. Are they treating you okay in there? I have not been told they’re not being treated okay by any kid,” he said.
While officials say conditions have improved, challenges remain. Irwin said the detention center still needs to hire an additional nurse and a compliance officer. The board planned to begin that hiring process the following week.
Mental health concerns also remain a priority. Irwin said mobile crisis teams have responded to multiple incidents involving juveniles threatening self-harm. The board hopes to contract with an outside provider to help address mental health needs at the facility.
“It’s a labor intensive process to keep these kids safe, to feed them, to make sure they’re where they’re supposed to be and make sure we’re checking on them and none of them are hurting themselves or hurting each other,” Irwin said.
Officials highlighted several recent improvements, including the installation of additional security fencing behind the facility to prevent escapes, healthier food options and expanded training for newly hired officers.
Commissioner Jackson said county leaders want to build on the progress already made.
“We want to continue to work on the progress to make sure they have a place where the children who come through, that they have a place where we can rehabilitate them,” Jackson said.
Irwin also revealed the facility recently lost its state license again shortly after initially receiving approval. He said the center regained its license about a month ago, although the reason for the temporary loss remains unclear.
County officials say the new advisory board will continue monitoring operations as the detention center works to improve staffing, compliance and services for juveniles in its care.
