New Director of Richard L. Bean Juvenile Center Outlines Goals for Facility Upgrades

New Leadership at East Tennessee Juvenile Detention Center

East Tennessee's juvenile detention center has welcomed a new leader as the facility undergoes significant changes. Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs appointed Brian Bivens as the interim director of the center following allegations against the previous director, Richard L. Bean. These allegations involved the termination of two employees who reported issues to the state.

Bivens brings extensive experience in law enforcement and corrections to his new role. He spent decades working within the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and has held various positions in the corrections industry. His background equips him with the knowledge necessary to address the challenges facing the juvenile detention center.

“I hear challenge a lot. Heavy lift a lot. I see it as a great opportunity to make an impact in these officers’ careers and these juveniles’ lives,” Bivens said, expressing his commitment to the position.

Alongside members of the new board at the Bean Center, Bivens recently conducted a tour of the facility to assess the needs of both staff and juveniles. This visit was part of a broader effort to understand the current state of operations and identify areas for improvement.

Bivens outlined his initial priorities for the center, emphasizing the importance of structure, organization, and training. These elements have been consistently highlighted by staff during discussions about the facility’s operations.

During the tour, Bivens observed several aspects that were unfamiliar to him. One notable issue was the absence of supervisory positions within the facility. “I’ve never been in a facility, and I’ve been in approximately 130 different correctional facilities in my career doing audits and inspections. I’ve never been in a facility that didn’t have a hierarchy or supervisor structure, so I think that’s obviously super important to put in place,” he explained.

Another concern he identified was the lack of emergency buttons on radios. “I’ve never been into a facility where radios didn’t have an emergency button on them, so if there’s a serious situation and you don’t have time to pick up the radio and don’t have time to talk, you can hit a button and it automatically alerts everyone there’s an emergency,” Bivens noted.

In addition to addressing operational concerns, Bivens aims to enhance the training of staff members, ensuring they are equipped to handle any job at the center. He believes that providing structure is essential not only for staff but also for the juveniles residing at the facility.

Bivens emphasized the need for incentives to encourage positive behavior among the youth. “There’s some things I want to do on the housing side. There’s not enough incentives there for them to behave the way they should be behaving, so I want to create incentives for positive behavior,” he said.

He also plans to expand programming for the juveniles, particularly in the afternoons. “I want to keep them busy, especially in the afternoons, so bringing folks in for additional programming,” Bivens added. This includes initiatives such as substance abuse and anger management programs designed to meet the specific needs of the youth.

Looking ahead, Bivens will work closely with Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, which will take greater control of the Bean Center starting in 2026. His goal is to establish a pace over the next six months that aligns with expectations without overwhelming the staff.

Bivens is committed to implementing rules and guidelines that adhere to the standards set by the American Correctional Association. His leadership marks the beginning of a new era for the juvenile detention center, focusing on improvement, structure, and the well-being of both staff and juveniles.