Smyrna is getting out of the jail business. The city council voted Monday to close the 64-bed municipal lockup inside police headquarters and shift short-term inmate housing to the Cobb County Sheriff's Office, with a targeted shutdown date of June 2, 2026. The move will end in-house booking at the police station and trigger a springtime reshuffle of detention staff. City leaders say the decision follows years of operational review, not any misconduct by employees.
Council vote and where inmates will go
During Monday's meeting, the council signed off on closing the jail and entering an agreement with the Cobb County Sheriff's Office to house inmates, as reported by 11Alive. The city set June 2, 2026, as its target closing date and described the change as budget-neutral rather than a money saver or a new expense. City Administrator Michael L. Jones told 11Alive that discussions about what to do with the jail have been going on for several years.
Where the jail sits and how it's used
The 64-bed facility sits inside the Smyrna Police Department at 2646 Atlanta Road and has traditionally been used for short stays and overflow from nearby jurisdictions, according to the City of Smyrna's jail page. Neighboring cities regularly contract for extra beds when their own space is maxed out. For instance, Atlanta News First reported that Roswell approved a backup deal to use Smyrna's jail last year.
Staffing impacts and next steps for employees
Budget documents for fiscal year 2026 had set aside funding for 20 full-time jail positions, with about 17 currently filled. City officials told 11Alive that roughly 10 employees are expected to move into other open city jobs without a pay cut, while around 5 to 6 roles could be eliminated through a reduction-in-force. Human resources staff will work with affected employees over the next 90 days to sort out transfers, training opportunities or separation terms.
What comes next for the building and the department
City leaders say they now plan to study how best to reuse the former jail space for future public-safety needs, including possible administrative functions or programs that support alternatives to detention. Officials are framing the change as an operational pivot that will let the police department focus its resources on core policing priorities and planned downtown redevelopment work while Smyrna takes its time deciding on a long-term plan for the site.
