Riverbend Maximum Security Institution
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Riverbend Maximum Security Institution opened in 1989 and replaced its 100 year-old neighbor, the Tennessee State Penitentiary. Even today, it's billed as one of the state's most high-tech facilities. RMSI, which is made up by 20 different buildings, sits on 132 acres located off Cockrill Bend Boulevard in Nashville, TN. Riverbend's designated capacity is 736 offenders. Of that number, 480 are classified as high risk.
The prison's overall mission is to ensure the safety of the public, departmental employees and inmates by managing high-risk male offenders. Ricky Bell, who is a 34-year veteran of the department, has been the warden at Riverbend since March of 1995. Warden Bell oversees a staff of nearly 400 people, including administrative workers, correctional officers, unit managers and medical personnel.
Education programs at the prison include GED and Adult Basic Education. There are also vocational classes available for printing, commercial cleaning, industrial maintenance, cabinet making/millwork and computer information systems. TRICOR, the prison industry, also manages a data entry plant and print shop at the prison. Inmates not involved in academic vocation, or industry programs are required to work in support service roles throughout the facility.
[edit] Notable prisoners
- Sedley Alley, a convicted rapist and murderer was executed there by lethal injection.
- Paul Dennis Reid, convicted murderer of seven; Reid's execution date was set for April 29, 2003. Just minutes before being taken to the execution chamber, the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stayed Paul Reid's execution on reasoning that Reid was mentally ill. An execution set for June 2006 was also stayed.
