TN.gov Newsroom

HENNING - A veteran Tennessee corrections professional has been named Warden of the West Tennessee State Penitentiary in Henning, Tennessee.  Commisioner George Little appointed Henry Steward as warden of the maximum-security facility effective October 1, 2008.

WARTBURG - The Department of Correction is currently investigating the discovery of weapons smuggled into the Morgan County Correctional Complex.  Two guns were found inside a package delivered to the institution this morning.

NASHVILLE - The seventh annual "Jaunt in the Joint" will be held this Wednesday at the Charles Bass Correctional Complex.  The marathon, half marathon and 5-K run is sponsored by the Nashville Striders and helps raise awareness of health living and behavioral issues among inmates.

NASHVILLE - Six TDOC employees are the subject of an internal affairs investigation into allegations of inappropriate relationships with current and former inmates, introduction of tobacco products into the institution and staff misconduct.  The employees, at the Tennessee Prison for Women, have either resigned, been terminated or been placed on administrative leave pending a disciplinary hearing.

MEMPHIS - The future of corrections will be one of several topics discussed during the first annual Corrections Symposium to be held in Memphis next week.  Corrections and law enforcement professionals from Tennessee and surrounding states will gather for the 2008 Corrections Agencies of West Tennessee(CAWT) Symposium.  Experts will tackle issues including offender reentry, managing gangs, recruitment and retention of staff.

NASHVILLE - The Department of Correction has been awarded a $540,000 federal grant to help offenders find employment upon release from prison.  The grant, from the U.S. Department of Justice, will allow the TDOC to provide transitional employment services to offenders released to the Davidson County area as part of a new program called Nashville Works.

NASHVILLE –When a crisis occurs in a Tennessee prison, employees will now receive help dealing with the emotional effect. The Department of Correction has teams of trained experts available to respond in the event of a critical incident. 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A former prison escapee is back in TDOC custody after 27 years on the run. TDOC Special Agent Scott Miller tracked the inmate to a home in Millersville, TN on Tuesday, August 5.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -Department of Correction Commissioner George M. Little has been elected to the Board of Governors of the American Correctional Association. The ACA is the oldest and largest international correctional association in the world. ACA members voted to elect Commissioner Little to the Board of Governors during the organizations’ 2008 General Election. “This is an honor for me. I am pleased to represent the state of Tennessee on the ACA board,” said Commissioner Little.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Internal Affairs Agents with the Department of Correction have arrested three women suspected of smuggling illegal and dangerous contraband into a state prison.