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Committee approves one-year body-worn camera pilot for Trousdale Turner correctional officers
Summary
By a 23-0 vote the committee advanced HB17-18, an amended bill to pilot body-worn cameras for correctional officers at Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility, with sponsors saying CoreCivic agreed to provide cameras and the measure aimed to improve safety and evidence for prosecutions.
The committee voted unanimously to advance House Bill 17-18, an amended measure establishing a one-year pilot program to equip correctional officers at Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility with body-worn cameras. Representative Ashley, the sponsor, said the policy responds to difficulties prosecuting incidents using only stationary camera footage and that body-worn cameras would “provide a clear firsthand perspective” and improve accountability for both staff and inmates.
Members probed the fiscal note after the sponsor said CoreCivic agreed to supply cameras but that a $359,900 figure had appeared on the fiscal note at the last minute. Representative McAlmon and others pressed for clarity about why the fiscal note showed that amount despite the sponsor saying the contractor would provide equipment. After discussion the clerk reported 23 ayes, 0 nos and the committee moved the bill to Finance, Ways and Means for additional review.
The bill’s sponsor framed the proposal as a public-safety and transparency measure; the committee will reconvene downstream committees to vet fiscal and implementation details.
