TN.gov Newsroom

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - An effort to reduce recidivism and save taxpayer money is getting a boost in several Tennessee prisons this week.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -An inmate who escaped from the Department of Correction in 1994 is back in prison. Floyd J. Swayney was captured Wednesday, May 28 at a residence in Knoxville.

 TULLAHOMA, Tenn. - The Department of Correction will conduct an emergency management exercise at the Tennessee Correction Academy (TCA) in Tullahoma on Wednesday, May 7.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - What happens when an offender is released from prison depends greatly on how the public reacts to him or her.  Currently, more than 4,000 Tennesseans volunteer their time to work with inmates in state prisons.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - In an effort to improve the public safety of all Tennesseans, the Department of Correction has launched the first of its kind program to provide the skills offenders need to live successful, productive lives.  “There are many reasons ex-offenders end up returning to prison,” said TDOC Assistant Commissioner Jim Cosby.  “The problems they face upon release range from lack of access to housing and employment, angry and unwelcoming families and communities and the offender’s own pro-criminal attitude.” 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A partnership between the Department of Correction, Middle Tennessee State University and the Great Books Foundation is allowing inmates at three Tennessee prisons to take part in regular discussions of great books.  The program, entitled Great Books in Middle Tennessee Prisons, is currently underway at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution, the Lois M. DeBerry Special Needs Facility and the Tennessee Prison for Women.

ATHENS, Tenn. - An inmate who escaped from the Northeast Correctional Complex Annex in Carter County was apprehended several hours after his escape.  Randy Hicks escaped through a window at the annex on April 4, 2008 sometime between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. - The Department of Correction is seeking the public’s help in locating an inmate who escaped from the Carter County Annex this morning.  Inmate Randy Hicks was reported missing at 7:00 a.m. when staff noticed he was not at his scheduled worksite.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Veteran TDOC employee Lolie Jones has been named Warden of the Mark H. Luttrell Correctional Center in Memphis.  In making the appointment, Commissioner George M. Little said, “Warden Jones has proven his leadership capabilities during his tenure with the department.  His extensive experience, knowledge of the department and professionalism qualifies him for this challenging position.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - More than 100 inmates housed at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution are lending support to the tiniest victim of the February tornadoes.  The inmates have donated $244.68 to a trust fund for 11-month-old Kyson Stowell.  The infant survived the storm that tore through the town of Castilian Springs.  His mother was killed when their home was destroyed.