News & Information

Executive Director Will Wall was recognized as the recipient of the J. D. Abston                                                                                      Outstanding Training Officer of the Year award at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Officer’s Association conference. Will humbly accepted the award on behalf of  all Tennessee Corrections Institute staff. Through this award, TLETOA wanted to recognize the hard work, dedication, and major changes that TCI has made over the past year to  bring specialized training (including leadership and defensive tactics courses) to the jails, grant writing training to Sheriff’s Offices, and program training such as MRT to the jail’s program staff. These are just the tip of the spear for the many meaningful and impactful changes TCI has initiated to meet our vision of being the nation’s premier jail inspection, training, accreditation, and technical assistance provider. 

The award was named after Jerry Dale Abston, former Director Abston’s son who was a
long-time training officer from Putnam County who died of cancer in 2014. 

(updated 12.28.2022)

Joey B. Smith, Training Officer West Tennessee:                                                                                                                                               Mr. Smith started his law enforcement career at the Chester County Sheriff's Office as a dispatcher and soon transitioned to Corrections Officer. Joey has 13 years’ experience as Facility Training Officer and 10 years’ experience  as Jail Administrator. Joey earned his associates degree from Jackson State Community College in 2006, and joined the TCI Training division as the Training Officer for West Tennessee. Welcome aboard Joey!

Jarrod Campbell, Detention Facilities Specialist:                                                                                                                                            Mr. Jarrod Campbell is a 2012 graduate of Tennessee Technological University and Nashville State Community College where he attended classes such as Computer Forensics and Law. He began his career in public service in 2011 as a Correctional Officer with Van Buren County. He has worked in numerous positions in Law Enforcement and Corrections to include Chief Deputy and Jail Administrator. He was instructor for both the Patrol and Corrections divisions prior to leaving his former agency. In 2018, he was recognized as the Facility Training Officer of the year by Tennessee Corrections Institute. Campbell worked closely with many State and Federal partners to include being a Task Force Officer with the United States Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force. He is certified externally in several topics.  

James D. Jackson, Detention Facilities Specialist:                                                                                                                                             James Jackson has joined our team from Maury County Sheriff’s office. He served as a Corrections Officer, Booking Officer, Training Sergeant, and Facility Compliance Officer.  Mr. Jackson began his law enforcement career in 2016 at the
Maury County Sheriffs Department where he began as a corrections officer. He then became the classification officer for the department in 2018 in which position he was promoted to sergeant, then later was promoted to training coordinator. We are excited to have James as an addition to our team! 

Albert Medina, Detention Facilitiies Specialist:                                                                                                                                                 Albert joins us from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office where he was the Jail Administrator for the past four years. Prior to that, Albert worked as a Jail Captain for two years, and he has 16 years of experience as a Sheriff’s Deputy. Albert is a Veteran having served our country in the United States Marine Corps. He also has experience in commercial construction. We are elated to have Albert join our team as a DFS for East Tennessee. 

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Congratulations on the retirement of Chief Tom Rudder, Jail Administrator of Madison County Sheriff's Office, with 34 years of service!

TCI Is very pleased to announce the newest addition to our team,                   Jason J. Smith!

Jason J. Smith is the Project Manager for Tennessee Corrections Institute. Jason specializes in collaborating, coordinating, facilitating, and assisting in the successful planning, execution, and operations of phenomenal projects and programs. Jason graduated from Valdosta State University in 2001 with his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and then moved to Nashville where he has worked with the TN Board of Probation and Parole, the TN Department of Corrections, and the Office of Criminal Justice Programs. His favorite quote is, "Teamwork Makes the Dream Work" (John C. Maxwell), and he strives to ensure customers, stakeholders, and teammates are heard, helped, and satisfied in his quest to make Tennessee State Government the best it can be.  

TCI would like to congratulate Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy Director
Brian Grisham on his retirement, having over 40 years of service to the
citizens of Tennessee. Director Grisham once served as the Interim Director of
the Tennessee Corrections Institute during a period of transition which
provided the agency with impeccable guidance as the agency moved into the
future. Your leadership and passion will be greatly missed.