TN.gov Newsroom

TIPTONVILLE, Tenn. - It’s an opportunity they never thought they would have, but one that could prevent them from getting into trouble again.  Several inmates at the Northwest Correctional Complex have become college students.  A partnership between the Department of Correction and the University of Tennessee at  Martin allows several youthful offenders to enroll in English and history college courses this semester.

JACKSON, Tenn. - A man wanted by the Department of Correction is now in custody.  An arrest warrant had been issued for Tracy Bernard Mann.  Mann is a TDOC inmate who was serving time for theft of property.  He was sent to Texas on a detainer and was inadvertently released by that state.

JACKSON, Tenn. - An escape warrant has been issued for the arrest of Tracy Bernard Mann.  Mann is a Department of Correction inmate who was sent to Texas on a detainer and inadvertently released from the state.

CLIFTON, Tenn. - Several Tennessee counties devastated by this week’s storms are receiving help from the Department of Correction.  The Wayne County Boot Camp has sent dozens of inmates to assist with the cleanup in Wayne and Hardin counties.  Inmates are working with local officials to remove downed trees and debris from roads and public areas.

WARTBURG, Tenn. - Governor Phil Bredesen’s recommended state budget will allow the Morgan County prison expansion project to move forward.  The expansion is expected to save the state nearly $4 million dollars each year and create 255 new jobs.  In his State of the State address on Monday, Governor Bredesen said, “One of the ways to prevent crime is to make sure we have the space to keep those who commit it behind bars.”  Once complete, the new facility will house 2,441 inmates, making it the second largest prison in the state system.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Department of Correction will award a grant in the amount of $10,000 to the American Lung Association of Tennessee.  The funds are to be used to assist the department in the Freedom from Smoking campaign in all TDOC prisons, the academy and central office.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - In accordance with state law, the Department of Correction is now accepting applications from recognized news organizations to serve as statutorily required witnesses for the scheduled execution of death row inmate Pervis Payne.  The execution is currently scheduled for 1 a.m. CST on December 12, 2007.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Department of Correction Commissioner George Little has named veteran state employee Jerry Lester as Director of the Internal Affairs Division.  Lester had served as interim director since November, 2006.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - They are often considered the forgotten victims of crime.  Children of inmates are the most severely at-risk children and youth in America today.  In fact, they are six times more likely than their peers to end up in prison themselves.  The holidays present a particularly difficult time for children of inmates.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Correction’s Internal Affairs division has captured several former inmates who escaped from TDOC custody.  They were arrested as part of an ongoing investigation called “Operational Clean Sweep.”  TDOC agents tracked down six escapees, several of whom escaped from prison more than 25 years ago.  Their crimes include drug charges, grand larceny and forgery.