TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Nov 4, 2025

The oversight board of Knox County's Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center plans to remain in place for another six months before deciding whether to hand control of the troubled facility to the sheriff’s office. According to Knox News, the board wants more time to respond to a new report from the University of Tennessee's County Technical Advisory Service, which found severe security lapses, outdated practices, poor recordkeeping and even evidence of animals once housed in the building. The report described the facility as “frozen in time,” citing unlicensed operations and excessive overtime costs. While interim leaders work on urgent fixes, county officials are considering long-term options, including a proposal from the McNabb Center to create a “blended model” that integrates mental health treatment for detained youth.