2017 Annual Report
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
SUPPORT OPERATIONS<br />
Adult & Juvenile Corrections & Court Services<br />
Support operations includes Adult & Juvenile<br />
Corrections as well as Court Services.<br />
The Blount County Adult Correctional Facility is certified<br />
for 350 inmates. In <strong>2017</strong>, the average daily population<br />
was 553. The facility booked in 6,243 inmates in <strong>2017</strong>,<br />
up from 5,550 in 2016. For many years, the inmate population<br />
has steadily grown. This is not just localized, but<br />
rather a national trend. The Blount County Corrections<br />
Partnership was formed to find a solution to the overcrowding<br />
problem. They continue to study the issues.<br />
Inmates housed at the facility are from all over Tennessee.<br />
Blount County also contracts with the Tennessee<br />
Department of Corrections and the U.S. Marshals<br />
Service to house inmates, but due to overcrowding, the<br />
numbers of these inmates has steadily decreased over<br />
the past few years. The facility also houses inmates<br />
from agencies outside of Blount<br />
County. A full-time jail investigator is assigned to look<br />
into incidents that occur in the correctional facility, as<br />
well as gather intelligence. All corrections officers<br />
receive 40 hours of in-service training each year.<br />
Tennessee Bureau of Enterprises holds the contract for<br />
commissary services. Inmates utilize kiosks in intake to<br />
order commissary services. There is also a kiosk in the<br />
24 hour jail lobby that family members of inmates can<br />
deposit money into an inmate account. This service is<br />
also available under the “How Do I” tab at bcso.com or<br />
by calling (865)836-3364.<br />
The inmate Litter Crew is instrumental in keeping Blount<br />
County’s roadways litter-free. They go out most days<br />
with the exception of inclement weather. In <strong>2017</strong>, the<br />
crew covered 1,391 total roadway miles and picked up<br />
403,880 pounds of litter from our roadways. The Litter<br />
Crew is made possible by way of a grant.<br />
Inmate medical care is provided by Southern Health<br />
Partners. The staff consists of a nurse practitioner, seven<br />
full-time LPNs, a part-time LPN, and a file clerk. A medical<br />
doctor is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.<br />
The Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a<br />
special corrections team consisting of full-time corrections<br />
officers who use less-lethal means of control. Members<br />
deal with high-risk situations in the facility. CERT also<br />
handles crowd control, riot conditions, and security<br />
extractions of violent inmates, as well as shake-downs to<br />
search for contraband.<br />
Corrections deputies received<br />
new protective gear in <strong>2017</strong>.<br />
All deputies assigned to corrections<br />
were issued Tasers and<br />
special stab resistant vests. All<br />
corrections deputies were also<br />
issued earpieces for their radios<br />
for privacy, making their jobs<br />
safer.<br />
In <strong>2017</strong>, Maryville residents Bob<br />
& Eunice Hansen, long-time<br />
supporters of law enforcement,<br />
donated the funds to purchase<br />
K-9 Luna, a German Shorthair<br />
Pointer. K-9 Luna, in this photograph, is used to keep out<br />
and locate tobacco products.<br />
19
Change language