Tennessee House approves bill to reduce private prison populations if death rates spike

The Tennessee House on a voice vote approved legislation that would force a 10% reduction in inmate populations at a private prison if that facility’s death rate is twice that of a comparable state-operated prison. The measure, advanced as a substitute (Senate Bill 11-15) for House Bill 1144, passed on third reading after floor debate and a recorded vote showing broad support.

Supporters said the bill will create a measurable accountability mechanism for private prison operators while relying on existing state oversight. Chairman Boyd, the bill’s sponsor, told legislators the measure “would reduce the inmate population in our private prison facilities by 10% if the death rate is double that of an equivalent state operated facility,” and that the trigger would rely on data in the Department of Correction’s annual statistical abstract and a follow-up period set in statute.

The bill’s sponsor described how reassigning inmates would work. Chairman Boyd said the inmates…