Bledsoe Ribbon Cutting

PIKEVILLE, TN – A ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the new Bledsoe County Correctional Complex was held today in Pikeville. The 430,000 square-foot facility will include 1,540 new beds and bring more than 450 new jobs to the area. Deputy Governor Claude Ramsey joined Commissioner Derrick Schofield for the ceremony and tour of the new facility.

“We hope the men coming through these doors will have a change of attitude and be productive members of our community when they leave,” said Deputy Governor Ramsey. “Let’s all keep in mind the ultimate goal is to never have to build another prison.” 

“The new Bledsoe facility will give an economic boost to the area and help provide some relief to the county jails.” said Commissioner Schofield.

The state-of-the-art facility features an advanced geo-thermal heating and cooling system, the largest in the state, which will result in cost savings by using 580 wells to circulate air underground.  The Department will begin moving inmates into the new prison in January, 2013.