Council hears plans for jail kitchen, intake upgrades

10:22 a.m. Feb. 17, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

Moore County Sheriff Tyler Hatfield and Tim Little of the construction management firm OLG Services told Metro Council members on Monday, Feb. 16, that long-planned improvements to the county Jail are nearly ready for bidding. The renovations will focus on the kitchen, intake and booking areas, and structural repairs.

Hatfield raised these issues with the council in February 2025. He again addressed the council in May of last year. The architectural plans are now complete and have been reviewed by both the Tennessee Corrections Institute and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The project will go out to bid soon, and cost estimates will be sent to the council for approval after proposals are received.

Kitchen Upgrades Central to Project

One of the main concerns is the jail’s outdated kitchen. Little said the kitchen currently uses a residential four-burner stove and hood, which does not meet modern codes or the needs of feeding about 30 inmates.

The renovations will add commercial kitchen equipment, including a Type I hood with fire suppression, improved exhaust, stainless-steel prep surfaces, and a redesigned workspace to support staff in preparing meals for the jail’s population.

Intake Flow, Visitation, Housing Changes

Besides the kitchen, the proposal also includes:

• Changing the intake and booking area to improve workflow and meet current needs.

• Adjusting the visitation area to create more space for booking.

• Adding more female housing by converting a current room and installing new shower and restroom facilities.

• Fixing ceiling damage from past water leaks and strengthening the structure in the jail’s original section.

Hatfield said that housing for female inmates remains one of the jail’s biggest challenges and often requires working with nearby counties to secure space.

The upgrades will increase the jail’s official bed count from 29 to 31, not including a concrete “bed” in the drunk tank. Hatfield noted the jail usually holds 25 to 26 inmates each day, most of them from Moore County.

Roof Repairs Reduced in Scope

Council members also discussed earlier plans for a larger roof project. A full roof replacement was estimated at about $500,000, so the decision was made to perform targeted repairs instead. The plan is to replace fasteners, reinforce problem areas, and try to extend the roof’s life.

If the council approves moving forward after receiving bids, proposals are expected to be returned within 45 to 60 days. This means action could happen in early or mid-April.

Hatfield said the kitchen upgrades should meet the jail’s needs for a long time. Further expansion would be needed only if the inmate population increased significantly.

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