The Tennessee Corrections Institute has approved the DeKalb County Jail and Jail Annex for certification after determining that the facility met minimum standards during a recent inspection.

TCI Executive Director Beth Ashe, wrote in a letter to the sheriff that "The TCI recently inspected the facilities. The inspection revealed that this facility meets all applicable minimum standards. This status shall be reported to the board of control at its next meeting. After approval from the board of control, you will receive a certificate of certification. You are to be congratulated for attaining this degree of professionalism in your organization."

In the report, Detention Facility Specialist Joe Ferguson wrote that "On February 10, 2016 I inspected the DeKalb County Jail and Annex. Sheriff Ray and staff appear to be operating well within standards. Finding no deficiencies, I recommend continued certification for the year 2016."

The certified capacity for the jail and annex includes 102 beds, 78 for men and 24 for women. The average daily population is 79, and there were 75 inmates incarcerated on the day of the inspection.

The sheriff said the jail has maintained certification every year during his terms as sheriff, and he credits his staff for helping him keep the jail compliant.