NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee lawmakers are moving forward with plans to build a new juvenile detention facility in West Tennessee, even as the state faces lawsuits over the alleged mistreatment of youth in its existing facilities.

Sen. Ed Jackson, R-Jackson, voiced support this week for a proposed $45–$55 million pre-adjudication center in Madison County, to be located near the Jackson criminal justice complex. He said the need is clear: “I think they found out, not just yes, but heck yes, there’s definitely a need for this in rural West Tennessee.”

Citing a severe shortage of detention space outside of Memphis, Jackson added, “Every sheriff and pretty much every juvenile judge in West Tennessee is saying we’ve got to have a place” to house young people awaiting court dates. Only 10 juvenile beds currently exist across rural West Tennessee, according to Jackson.

The push for new construction comes despite a broader review of Tennessee’s juvenile justice system. A legislative study, due in 2026, is underway to assess the adequacy of existing facilities.

Democrats have criticized the state’s direction. Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, said, “I think the Tennessee Legislature is creating criminals instead of preventing them, and they just want to mass-house them. They are throwing our kids away instead of doing what’s right for them.”

Her comments come as Tennessee simultaneously moves forward with $333.3 million in reconstruction efforts for its Woodland Hills and Wilder youth detention centers. The State Building Commission recently approved those plans, despite a federal lawsuit accusing the state of illegally housing children with disabilities in “prison-like” conditions.

That lawsuit, filed by Disability Rights Tennessee, highlights systemic issues, including solitary confinement, violence, and retaliation. The filing details disturbing cases, such as a 17-year-old boy beaten more than 31 times and a 15-year-old girl dragged in shackles.

Comptroller Jason Mumpower responded to concerns by saying, “We want things to be right, both for the public and for the people who are housed there.”

Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, who sponsored legislation calling for the state facility study, said it was prompted by a letter from Germantown officials describing “overwhelming capacity issues” and a lack of rehabilitation services for juvenile offenders.

Tennessee’s proposal to build a new juvenile detention facility underscores the state’s growing struggle to balance public safety, rehabilitation, and youth rights. While Republican lawmakers argue the lack of secure detention space is placing a burden on law enforcement and communities, opponents worry the state is investing in incarceration instead of alternatives.

The controversy is amplified by Tennessee’s legal troubles. Disability Rights Tennessee’s lawsuit alleges systemic abuse within the juvenile system, including unconstitutional treatment of youth with disabilities. The allegations point to a system prioritizing containment over care, with details of violence, solitary confinement, and staff retaliation shocking advocates and lawmakers alike.

Yet, for local leaders in West Tennessee, the practical challenges are mounting. One example cited by Sen. Jackson involved a teen held in a motel room under 24/7 guard due to a lack of juvenile beds. Such improvised solutions are unsafe and unsustainable.

The tension reflects a national debate over how states handle juvenile justice: should the focus be on expanding secure facilities, or on addressing root causes through mental health support, education, and diversion programs?

As the state prepares to spend over $388 million on detention infrastructure, the direction of Tennessee’s youth justice system is coming under closer scrutiny — and the outcome of the lawsuits may reshape how that future is built.

Originally reported by Sam Stockard in Tennessee Lookout.