Tennessee's Prison Changes Aim to Reduce Population, Prioritize Elderly Inmates
Tennessee's Department of Corrections is implementing changes, aiming to reduce prison population and prioritize the care of older inmates with shorter sentences. This comes following a riot at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center in June, which injured a correctional officer and led to 12 indictments.
The Department of Corrections Commissioner has assured that security procedures at all facilities are stringent, comparing them to TSA procedures. An investigation by the justice authorities into the Trousdale Turner incident is expected to be completed by late 2025.
The Department of Justice is currently investigating the facility due to reports of staffing shortages, physical and sexual assaults, murders, and a high turnover rate among prison guards. The prison, operated by CoreCivic and receiving $3.8 million a year from the state, has seen its population decrease from around 2,400 to 1,800 since the riot.
Jason Lawson, the district attorney, has advocated for changing the prison population dynamics and suggested that the current contraband law is ineffective in deterring inmates from possessing illegal items. The Commissioner acknowledged 450 correctional officer vacancies, which limits the number of inmates that can be housed. Lawson proposed that the law separating smuggling and possession of contraband should be reviewed and potentially revised. Sen. Jeff Yarbro has questioned the Department of Corrections about improving safety and control at the prison.
The Department of Corrections is committed to addressing the issues at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, with changes aimed at reducing prison population and enhancing safety. The investigation by the Department of Justice is ongoing, and the review of contraband laws is under consideration. The ultimate goal is to improve conditions and ensure the safety of both inmates and staff.
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