[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6414386,"mediaKeyId","2390200-22ebcc91da918316fe15b4256c6112bf","parentId",2390200,"title","Board of Parole seeks to expand video hearings and preserve victim statements as it maintains current budget","audioSeconds",481,"startMs",7178000,"endMs",7659000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390200-22ebcc91da918316fe15b4256c6112bf&start=7178&end=7659","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390200-22ebcc91da918316fe15b4256c6112bf/thumbnail_7178000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6414386/Board-of-Parole-seeks-to-expand-video-hearings-and-preserve-victim-statements-as-it-maintains-current-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6414386-c6f22d4b625a06bce8b33d5e67eac301/orig.mp4?Expires=1773655444&Signature=jOok5SJwWmhLHqgoqpiOqnhZr-st~IkP9Ef1sSdQGcJauxFPuWR6RkhsOqrZHxOcRfXc7bOX0VzEd25ZCi1IC1gZsqBNS~5lRFV-KWWHgJ7x2oKCdFjAgby27lOeEIvYUyhKwiiHXyN0X4hbFJr9SYQQ69d8UEbDDG8llD2RVFQffeor6ysWjCGWz5ldFgFNamCDvwJSHd3jXvJ~cFAdcLliEHFvLZRB~Jy4zBqJklx9UDxE0EIAsji-nKMzH4UTkyaNf5JCjnTV4N0~iWdCc1mCe8Jjj8mNGBf6RU3s9NdUAHrnU3p4fDH2Nr8-Em1yko0rQfEJfsXRwIVpGizZmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Tennessee Board of Parole told the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee it will operate within its current budget request and is expanding the use of recorded victim impact statements and video hearings in county jails.

Chair Roberta Kustoff and executive director Jim Provance briefed the committee on the boards workload and technology plans. The board said it conducted 13,361 hearings during fiscal 202324, including 752 board-level hearings, issued 2,310 parole certificates and processed more than 3,700 letters and victim impact petitions. The board said it also handled 453 clemency applications and held 49 clemency hearings during the year.

Why it matters: victimss access to hearings and the timing of releases are recurring priorities for lawmakers and the board highlighted increased use of recorded victim statements as a way to preserve victim voices when in-person attendance is impractical.

Video hearings and operations: the board said 27 counties already conduct jail-level parole hearings via video and that it aims to have all county jail hearings conducted by video by July 2026; phase two will add virtual participation for all hearing participants. Executive Director Provance said the platform uses Microsoft Teams and that most jails need only a laptop and camera to participate; where connectivity or equipment are lacking, the board said it will explore grants or other support.

Budget and reductions: the board told the committee it is not asking for additional base funding and presented a 1% reduction plan that trims rentals, insurance, third-party services, training and one staff position for a $122,300 reduction; the governors proposed reductions approved a subset totaling $52,200, the board said.

Ending note: the board said recorded victim impact statements doubled over the prior fiscal year and that continuing to increase video hearings will reduce travel, improve hearing efficiency and expand the ability of victims and the public to participate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance, Ways, and Means Committee\tFeb 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Tennessee Board of Parole said it can operate within its current budget, has increased recorded victim statements and aims to conduct all county jail hearings by video by mid‑2026; the board said technology and training remain priorities.","taxTitle","taxId",0,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},6414416,"TRICOR reports commissary rollout and program revenue; agency says proceeds fund offender programs and pay",437,6795000,7232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390200-22ebcc91da918316fe15b4256c6112bf&start=6795&end=7232","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390200-22ebcc91da918316fe15b4256c6112bf/thumbnail_6795000.jpg","/articles/6414416/TRICOR-reports-commissary-rollout-and-program-revenue-agency-says-proceeds-fund-offender-programs-and-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6414416-d853bf1867aa2cc58668366808a708d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773655444&Signature=ezqwbfP1Thd9sKBoqFDv9ITMLDsa~PWKnEZWD3lROfuH4oJZqBrG0oMwsACiD9Chz8vHivK0seUVgrCI7tb2HXWTtxNqEnpYmbqwdbHlYunE6y1F9-mxx-wxpzEG7~Q7CNaoX2PjFJ6dks5Z6nMfLncu4ukwE8sLlmMPZAyjfLpouCzAyvNxYVsUrindS7KxYXJGbqwIQfR~WBkumMN-5mBa1GIxY5oDh0qV1iQWP75uG4XpjdiZqYkOGtgQRCPWj9vgOQHpGQFDQ8S7LUf98td2pRgEdAWhPFe-v~WbLZLkJTFcmssoChfU~G8kL9BDBAQ57g6US1b5SzZ1x9yuAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TRICOR, the state-managed correctional enterprise, told the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee it is expanding commissary operations and reported program revenue that TRICOR officials said is invested back into offender wages, training and transition services.

Chief Executive Officer David Hart and chief transition officer and general counsel Demetria Gibson described TRICOR as a self-funded agency operating in multiple locations and providing work, vocational training and pre-release transition services. Hart said the agency served 1,265 individuals in its programs in 2024 who worked a combined 859,000 hours and that TRICOR reported a three-year recidivism rate of 18.4% for program participants.

Commissary and revenue: TRICOR said commissary operations expanded following a 2023 solicitation; a protest delayed the rollout, which TRICOR officials said reduced expected revenue in that period. Gibson said earlier protests were resolved in TRICORs favor but caused timing shifts; TRICOR officials said much of the commissary cash is pass-through and that revenue retained by TRICOR is used to support programs and participant pay.

Why it matters: lawmakers asked how commissary and other TRICOR programs reduce contraband and support work-skills training. TRICOR said centralized commissary pick-pack-ship operations reduce facility-level handling and that offenders who work in TRICOR programs do not know the recipients of individual packages, which TRICOR said reduces opportunities to divert goods.

Programs and outcomes: TRICOR said it provides vocational certificates, cognitive-behavioral programs and pre- and post-release assistance including resumes, transportation and medical connections. TRICOR reported a $9.8 million cost savings to the state in 2024 and projected higher savings for 2025, and said its 2026 budget is driven by commissary throughput and capital needs for equipment.

Ending note: TRICOR said it expects to continue offering programs at no direct cost to the state general fund and to reinvest commissary proceeds into participant wages, training and transition supports.","TRICOR told the committee it has expanded commissary operations, reported rising throughput and said commissary and other program revenue funds offender work, savings accounts and programming with no requested state appropriation.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},6414446,"Tennessee Corrections Institute expands regional training and offers county grants from local training fund",183,3895000,4078000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390200-22ebcc91da918316fe15b4256c6112bf&start=3895&end=4078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390200-22ebcc91da918316fe15b4256c6112bf/thumbnail_3895000.jpg","/articles/6414446/Tennessee-Corrections-Institute-expands-regional-training-and-offers-county-grants-from-local-training-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6414446-9007d7b9347b8aff553981f41fd85ab4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773655444&Signature=lzO67P3j2jc9Pei~1TgR2OLX0wfjU52~p775K56S48jN41oFxTjbRkLJXoWDf0hWo~zsR3UtJI2bE5k0G8LlsfkGpTT01kfd8sZf~Dj6GR6xA91p9YCGjPqD2F8nzC5I6E6PRY1J0AKhXof144UhkjK7L0ufL9hj7hT-S4EmyOJ1NqobfC60y3kIcR3RVyyNThUdAtldwkSYI3cWfVwtyyg77YIss0DWYe2M66TwzCNyoCwYs2bVcXoLwTzHhSlbYU910Pkn6IhYyRiHt4J~rofDIhUc1dxk0x69gU54a0BD9SOZVkl3iC-FMUA5OvBQ9ooJSqsjoe0viicMBKqoPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) told the Finance Committee it is expanding regional training and using a balance in the local correctional training fund to provide grants to counties for training equipment and room improvements.

Executive Director William Waugh (director Waugh) said TCI opened a Jackson training location and expects new state training centers in Lebanon and Clinton. He described a training-equipment grant for counties of up to $15,000 and said the fund will support grants to distressed and rural counties that otherwise lack training resources. \"We're providing those grants up to $15,000,\" he told the committee, adding the program helps counties buy laptops, furniture and other training-room items.

Why it matters: county jails and sheriffs told lawmakers they struggle with space and resources for training and with county-to-state inmate movements; TCI said regional sites and grants seek to address access gaps and relieve local costs.

Training network and numbers: TCI Director of Training David Alola said there are currently 19 TCAT locations and six community colleges live with training collaborations; he reported the agency trained and certified 5,395 officers last year and provided training to nearly 9,868 support and non-facility staff. TCI said it provided specialized training to roughly 20% of personnel and is piloting ways to reduce contracting costs by placing subject-matter experts on staff at regional centers.

Commissary and county jail support: TCI indicated it works with sheriffs offices and jail consultants to advise counties such as Shelby, which committee members described as carrying large state-inmate holds. Waugh said the institutes inspection reports have flagged aging jails and that TCI is working with counties and the University of Tennessees County Technical Assistance Service on short-term measures while counties plan long-term solutions.

Ending note: Committee members thanked TCI for regional training expansion and grants; TCI said it will continue to open regional sites and work with counties to improve access to certified training.","The Tennessee Corrections Institute told the committee it has opened regional training sites, is spending down a local correctional-training fund for county grants and provided enrollment figures for TCAT and community-college partnerships.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},6414468,"New disciplinary oversight board says credit removals rose sharply; seeks staff and better system access",1466,4850000,6316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390200-22ebcc91da918316fe15b4256c6112bf&start=4850&end=6316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390200-22ebcc91da918316fe15b4256c6112bf/thumbnail_4850000.jpg","/articles/6414468/New-disciplinary-oversight-board-says-credit-removals-rose-sharply-seeks-staff-and-better-system-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6414468-2a029c906327d3fcf04dd10dcc4c666e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773655444&Signature=S~FPk6j6Yja82NJwhY9K0LE3dhjqN2hhgABiGwfp4HY95txVuAnLT2D-w6vp-iDmyhEzLImni60ACDZ9~qzWMkTiw6jidiyALTHqh1eV9nvljw7QpI~wwtCAPpp~1dDpqCPVuTdHYdS8L5HKpQwksgO2-HTZgOR6MtKInQKKlN1UL4QLHlBIuLIvwVDvmUXsHlFk1q7PSNU2Xf2Mo3OmBdGqMYEaF9YOY6wO~BVxICmchQaNw4JnMTnVIe0a6H7FKug134Mtrk-5RTAMeU7-BGPWjdh8yI75aMaM7tJ1sI1GkD5IA0T7kRzxXNJ-c9PbIomA7C69dO1UUkzsKdNURg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board told the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee that its work to review disciplinary cases coincided with a large increase in sentence-credit removals and that the panel needs staff and better system access to sustain and scale its review process.

Director Stahl, accompanied by board chair Jerry Vassbinder and other board members, said the board reviews grant, denial and removal decisions for sentence credits across the state's 14 correctional facilities. Stahl said the boards monthly workload had expanded; she told the committee that in calendar 2024 the department removed \"more than 320,000 credits ... from more than 2,200 inmates,\" and that the oversight board itself had added roughly 900 credit days through second-level review.

Why it matters: board members and several legislators framed the oversight work as a public-safety measure intended to ensure inmates who repeatedly commit serious disciplinary infractions do not retain credits that would shorten their incarceration.

Board requests and operations: the board asked for a full-time deputy director and a part-time IT manager to handle a heavy manual workload. Stahl and board chair Jerry Vassbinder said nine volunteer board members have reviewed more than 11,000 class A incidents in 2024 and that manual extraction and reconciliation of data from the departments Tomas (eTOMA) system is time-consuming.

On matrix and sanctions: Vassbinder described a new, stricter sanction matrix developed with the Department of Correction that reduces the previous upper bounds that left \"0\" in early steps; under the revised approach, a first offense for some class A infractions carries a nonzero baseline of credit loss and escalates on repeated offenses. Vassbinder said the matrix allows, for serious offenses causing bodily harm to an officer or another inmate, taking \"up to 5 years\" of sentence credits and noted the board looks closely for repeat offenders: \"a person . . . that has 8 class A infractions in the last 12 months, each one of his will lose a year at least of sentence credits,\" he said.

Access, cooperation and constraints: the board reported generally cooperative relations with TDOC but said it had not been granted full screen-level access to the departments ThomA system. Stahl said some screens requested (for example, visitation records and other disciplinary context) were not provided because TDOC determined those screens fell outside the boards statutory mandate; board members said statutory language could be clarified if necessary.

Victims and outreach: the board said it has begun notifying corrections of release-date mismatches arising from credit accounting and that it has received public contacts and victim input. Stahl said the board can be reached through its website and that public meetings are held; lawmakers said they want improved pathways so victims and district attorneys can flag cases for review.

Ending note: the board asked for recurring supplemental funding for a small staff increase and noted the workload of nine volunteer board members and two staff is generating a heavy manual burden that limits the capacity for more proactive review.","The Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board told the committee it has reviewed thousands of incidents since formation and helped increase disciplinary credit removals; the board asked for additional staff, an IT support position and fuller access to TDOC records to do its work.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},6414495,"Tennessee DOC seeks funding for pay, clinical contracts and hepatitis C treatment as vacancy, assaults and contraband draw lawmakers—questions",3024,846000,3870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390200-22ebcc91da918316fe15b4256c6112bf&start=846&end=3870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390200-22ebcc91da918316fe15b4256c6112bf/thumbnail_846000.jpg","/articles/6414495/Tennessee-DOC-seeks-funding-for-pay-clinical-contracts-and-hepatitis-C-treatment-as-vacancy-assaults-and-contraband-draw-lawmakersquestions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6414495-590fa7fab5f253e3d3941b007a6e0350/orig.mp4?Expires=1773655444&Signature=KWjrfVCb08fkiwWvVBKxQkXKNOyNcmQK6ib1NuUUhoK~S94qhZOCYnzXkK5azsqB5wqENQ9uJIPUVAEjGkmZzmSueNUciaGV0Mv94s9rRk-VWT2b71l0sxuT41D24-9cLXo01aP5whUI5whbY1vr1M5vdl8duu64IUwk-77EAzvpPzA1fpoeRNVsHH5AHCN5ieh4ttoz83bZYd7ETKBM8H0sxE7tjWjP4Ru9Q5aiIzIHt4bdUMsWKByvwxl608r-DOInFPcJIOsomI0noZnSt7lVoV8rE2oXszMh8g3Y92dxWb610NPxMV39ErXlIPojZT2Vin5zBfzF5xm1LzzwkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tennessee Department of Correction told the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday that it is seeking a $1.5 billion recommended budget for fiscal 2026 that includes pay and clinical-service investments and money for hepatitis C treatment.

Commissioner Strata, joined by assistant commissioners Gail Fenkel, Valerie Murtha and Heather Stanford and chief of staff Richard Muckle, said the department has raised the starting salary for correctional officers to $51,204, with tiered raises that will bring officers to $60,720 after 18 months. \"Just last week, the starting salary for correctional officers increased to $51,204 with tiered increases bringing CO salaries to 60,720 after 18 months,\" the commissioner told the committee. The department reported a statewide correctional officer vacancy rate of 26.9%, down about 2 percentage points from the previous year.

Why it matters: lawmakers pressed whether higher pay and recruitment drives are addressing turnover and whether the departments data and reporting let legislators evaluate public-safety trends. Committee members also pushed the department for more detailed statistical reporting that they said state law has required in the past.

What the budget requests and major items include: the department said it proposed $1.5 billion in its recommended FY2026 budget and identified $99 million in reductions. Cost increases called out by the department include $36 million for correctional officer salary increases, $14 million for a clinical services contract and $21 million for hepatitis C treatment.

On staffing and safety: department officials told the committee they have focused on recruiting and retention and that vacancies have fallen from the higher levels seen after 2021 pay changes. Assistant Commissioner Heather Stanford said the agency is seeing strong hiring interest but that turnover remains a retention problem; she described pay as a step-increase system that gives new hires increases through 18 months and emphasized work on supervision and leadership training to keep staff.

Lawmakers pressed hard on safety metrics and contraband. Chairman Hulsey cited the departments assault figures and asked whether staff bring contraband into facilities. The commissioner disputed any single-source narrative: \"Contraband comes in a number of ways. And yes, staff is 1 of the ways that that occurs,\" he said, adding that visitors and drone drops also contribute and that the department has invested in body scanners, metal detectors and mail-scanning to reduce contraband.

On disciplinary credits and the new oversight board: lawmakers asked why many disciplinary incidents do not result in sentence-credit losses. Chief of staff Richard Muckle said the department and the new Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board have reviewed disciplinary procedures and that credit removals have increased: \"In the year 2022, only about 2,253 days of credits were removed from inmates ... In the year 2024, calendar year, more than 320,000 credits were removed from more than 2,200 inmates,\" he said.

Population, programming and health care: the department reported an in-custody population of about 20,000, with intakes up roughly 15% year over year and about 1,000 more inmates than the prior year. TDOC described growth in education and vocational offerings: vocational trade certificates and TCAP programs grew from 16 to 29 statewide in under two years, the department said, and it reported nearly 100,000 programming completions and more than 21,000 certificates awarded since tablets were introduced for programming. Electronic health record development was described as complete, with a phased implementation beginning in March; the offender-management information system (OMS) contract had been signed and work groups formed.

Reporting and the \"safety valve\": several legislators told the department that annual statistical reports had been pared down in recent years and called for restoring detailed tables on recidivism, staff salaries, and per‑facility bed status. Commissioner Strata and research staff said they are reviewing how publications are presented and that statutory reporting obligations, including those tied to the overcrowding \"safety valve,\" were being met. The department said operating capacity had been reported at 91.7% in the \"Corrections at a Glance\" product.

Committee direction and next steps: members across the panel said the presentation raised additional questions and asked the department to return for a follow-up hearing with more data. Chairman Hicks asked TDOC staff to coordinate scheduling with committee staff for a return appearance.

Ending note: the agency emphasized investments in safety equipment and programming alongside pay increases while legislators signaled they intend to require clearer, facility-level statistics and more information on vacancies, long-term unfilled positions and the application of disciplinary sanctions.","The Department of Correction presented a $1.5 billion FY2026 budget request that includes pay increases for correctional officers, expanded clinical services and hepatitis C treatment while legislators pressed officials about vacancy rates, assaults, contraband and missing statistical reporting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board of Parole seeks to expand video hearings and preserve victim statements as it maintains current budget

TRICOR reports commissary rollout and program revenue; agency says proceeds fund offender programs and pay

Tennessee Corrections Institute expands regional training and offers county grants from local training fund

New disciplinary oversight board says credit removals rose sharply; seeks staff and better system access

Tennessee DOC seeks funding for pay, clinical contracts and hepatitis C treatment as vacancy, assaults and contraband draw lawmakers—questions