On December 10, 2025, Hamblen County officials, community leaders, and residents gathered to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new 200,000-square-foot Hamblen County Justice Center, marking the completion of one of the largest construction initiatives in the county's history.
The combined courthouse and detention center replaces a 50-year-old, 255-bed facility that had lost state certification due to overcrowding by over 200 inmates, inadequate inmate separation, and compromised safety conditions. The new facility provides 621-bed core capacity with infrastructure to support 750 inmates, along with expanded programming spaces for education, rehabilitation, and reentry services.
Morristown, Tenn., Mayor Chris Cutshaw noted that the old facility had outgrown its usefulness, and he emphasized that the new justice center protects inmates, staff, and the public.
The justice center houses three courtrooms serving the circuit, sessions, criminal, and juvenile courts, along with judicial offices, administrative areas, and community services. The detention center includes spaces for medical, dental, mental health, counseling, education, vocational training, and religious assembly, as well as staff training areas, indoor and outdoor recreation, and both internal and external administration.
Sheriff Chad Mullins emphasized the facility's focus on rehabilitation through programming that includes GED instruction, domestic violence education, substance abuse treatment, and anger management courses. These programs support successful reentry and long-term community safety. The facility is positioned to achieve tier one and tier two certification, a significant improvement over the previous facility that had not been certified in years.
Moseley worked closely with county leadership, court administration, judges, and detention center management throughout the design process. The firm's in-house criminal justice professionals—three former detention facility administrators—translated operational requirements into efficient building programs that improve staff sightlines, eliminate blind spots, and reduce required staffing levels.
“Our team's operational background combined with Hamblen County's thorough understanding of their community's needs created a facility that balances security, rehabilitation, and long-term adaptability.” <p class="testimonial-name">Todd Davis, Justice Sector Leader at Moseley</p>
The facility incorporates energy-efficient systems, durable materials, and advanced security features while exceeding energy code requirements. Design elements prioritize natural light, intuitive wayfinding, and spatial organization that promotes well-being and reduces stress for all occupants.
The existing justice center will be renovated to house juvenile services and the sheriff's office. The new facility has created 50 additional jobs, with staff currently completing training and preparing for operations.
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