Acting Sheriff Ruby Joyner
Davidson County Sheriff’s Office
Nashville, TN
Ruby Joyner began her career with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office in 1999 and has assumed numerous roles including Day Reporting Center Treatment Supervisor, Day Reporting Center Director, Offender Re-entry Center Administrator, and Director of Training. Ruby’s previous role was Maximum Correctional Center-Males and Correctional Development Center-Females Administrator prior to being named Chief of Corrections. She was sworn in as Chief Deputy in 2026. Prior to joining the DCSO, Ruby worked for the Public Defender of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County as well as the Mental Health Cooperative.
Ruby earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Work in 1995 from Trevecca University. In 1996, she graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Social Work accelerated master’s program. She was presented with the University of Tennessee’s Lucille Evans Dean Service Award in 2000. Ruby has authored several articles for professional publications including the American Correctional Association’s (ACA) Corrections Today magazine and the American Jail Association’s American Jails magazine. Other awards and achievements include: Certified Jail Manager, ACA Correctional Behavioral Health Certification (CBHC), ACA Proctor Designation, Certified Corrections Manager, Tennessee Department of Corrections Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, the Correctional Management Institute in Texas Emerging Senior Leadership training program.