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Daron Hall

Nashville jails stopped in-person visits during the pandemic. It’s unclear if they’ll ever come back.

In-person visitation was restored in Tennessee’s state prisons. But Nashville families are relying on video calls.

Nashville Swaps Jail Cells For Mental Health Care At New Behavioral Health Center

Starting this month, a new 60-bed facility will provide immediate mental health care for some people who are arrested in Nashville with a mental illness, rather than locking them in a jail cell. Nationwide protests this summer have strengthened calls to spend less money on jails and more on mental health. The sheriff says he’s […]

Nashville Sheriff Races To Get Ready To Take Over Prison From CoreCivic

In just over a month, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office will take over a local prison that’s been privately run since it was built nearly three decades ago. Under pressure from councilmembers and activists, CoreCivic decided to cut its contract short. Now, the sheriff is scrambling to get ready for some major changes.

Jail Releases Early On In COVID-19 Pandemic Didn’t Spike Crime, Data Shows

A new analysis from the American Civil Liberties Union finds that many of the countries largest cities — including Nashville and Memphis — saw reductions in both jail populations and crimes reported this spring. That could encourage officials to keep jail populations low.

‘Punching Bag’ No More: Private Prison Company CoreCivic Announces End To Contract With Metro

CoreCivic is pulling out of its contract to run the Metro Detention Facility this fall. The announcement comes days after two Metro councilmembers introduced a resolution to end Nashville’s relationship with the private corrections company.

Nashville Leaders Say They’ve Found A Way To End The City’s Contract With Private Prison Operator CoreCivic

Nashville’s Metro Council is renewing a push to end the city’s contract with private prison operator CoreCivic, and this time they have the support of the county sheriff, who says he’s found a way to take over operations of the detention facility in South Nashville.

Coronavirus Outbreak At Davidson County Jail Prompts Mass Testing

The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office is monitoring a coronavirus cluster at a minimum-security jail on Harding Place. DCSO learned Tuesday morning that 48 men at the Correctional Development Center have tested positive for the virus. They, along with about 50 other inmates, had already been placed in separate housing. The Metro Public Health Department will now […]

Nashville Has Reduced Its Jail Population By 15% In The Past Month. Will It Last After Coronavirus?

Nearly 200 people have been freed from Nashville’s jails since the first COVID-19 case was reported in the state last month. The sheriff, public defender and district attorney are racing the clock to get as many people out as they can before COVID-19 starts spreading behind bars. And the virus has forced officials to think […]

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