No Request From Governor To Review TDOC Early Release Program
Image Credit: Gov. Bill Lee / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
Governor Lee has not asked the Department of Corrections to look into a state policy that would allow for the possibility of reduced sentences for violent offenders in Tennessee, and state prison officials are not currently implementing any review of the policy either, even after recent cases in which violent offenders were back on the streets because of those early releases.
Both the suspect from the recent murder of Memphis teacher Eliza Fletcher and those accused of a shooting spree that left 4 dead in Memphis were released from their previous sentences several years early.
State policies allow inmates to accumulate credit that entitles them to up to eight days per month off of their sentencing time if they meet certain stipulations. The program is intended to promote “acceptable program participation and good institutional behavior.” A disciplinary board awards the sentence reductions, which are not guaranteed.
Tennessee lawmakers recently passed the “Truth in Sentencing” law that went into effect on July 1. This new law makes it a requirement for offenders of certain crimes to serve 100% of their sentence. Those crimes include murder, rape, aggravated assault, along with others.
While many lawmakers expressed public approval for the law, Governor Lee did not. He allowed the bill to become law but he refused to sign it, stating in a letter to House Speaker Cameron Sexton that he believed the law would lead to more victims, a greater likelihood of reoffenders, overcrowding in prison, and greater expense to taxpayers.
Instead, Lee argued in favor of reentry programs.
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
Because Lee is a treasonous leftist demoncrat who lied and claimed to be conservative. Sadly, true of most TN so-called conservatives. This will only stop when people in TN wake the hell up and pay attention. Sadly, that has yet to happen, so we live in a blue state that fakes being red.