KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of our news partner WVLT) – Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs touched on the county’s juvenile detention center last week, outlining his hopes for immediate next steps in the county’s takeover.
The latest shakeup at the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center came to light at the end of May, when Jacobs said he’d learned the center’s director, Richard L. Bean, had fired two employees who had tried to report problems to the state.
“Obviously this is a very serious matter, compounded by the fact that one of the employees is the center’s only nurse,” Jacobs said.
The mayor has been campaigning for a county takeover at the juvenile center, specifically putting it in the hands of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. In Friday’s update, Jacobs said he had proposed an emergency ordinance for the Knox County Commission to discuss.
That ordinance would dissolve the current leadership at the center and replace it with a committee made up of four commissioners and one juvenile court appointee. That would be a temporary system, the mayor said, while the sheriff’s office prepares to take over permanently.
On Monday night, the Knox County Commission passed Jacobs’ proposal that now transfers tasks KCSO with running the center. KCSO will take over in January 2026, while the center transitions in leadership. This agreement is set to expire in August 2026, with the possibility of deputies still being in charge of the facility.
Commissioners Damon Rawls, Shane Jackson, Larsen Jay, and Terry Hill will be on the board that helps oversee the center.
“I would like to thank Mr. Bean for his decades of service to Knox County youth,” Jacobs said. “Despite recent issues, he laid a solid foundation from which to build. We should remember that this is a tough space. Compared to similar facilities around the state, ours is one of the better ones. Also, thank you to Sheriff Tom Spangler for taking on this challenge. The sheriff is under no constitutional obligation to do this. He’s doing it for the good of our community, and I appreciate that more than I can say.”
“Today’s vote is a meaningful step forward. I want to thank Commission for recognizing the importance of a thoughtful transition that prioritizes stability for both the youth and the staff,” said Mayor Jacobs. “I’m grateful to the sheriff’s office and the folks on my team who worked tirelessly to make this happen. Now, the real work begins,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs in response to Monday night’s vote.
Previous Coverage: Tennessee representative: Knox County Sheriff’s Office shouldn’t run Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center
That being said, some have been outspoken against the sheriff’s office takeover. Specifically, state lawmakers who spoke to WVLT like Rep. Gloria Johnson.
