Monroe County has been experiencing the same problems with their county jail as have other counties in the state: over-crowding and general degradation through the years. Now the county is finally doing something about it with construction beginning on a new $31 million justice center which will be located on Highway 68 in Madisonville. On average, the current jail houses 200 inmates a day. However, its’ capacity was originally 138. The jail has been in danger of decertification by the Tennessee Correctional Institute for some time now, but officials say that the county has pledged to make improvements and has shown good faith. County Mayor Tim Yates says that this will be the largest project the county has ever faced. No tax increase is being imposed to pay for the center, Yates said. The new center is envisioned to address the county’s needs for the next 15 years. Its’ completion date is August 2019.