State officials say they need more high-security facilities for kids who commit crimes. Experts say this approach flies in the face of crime data and research that shows youth prisons are not rehabilitative.
Tennessee lawmakers demand answers on safety in state youth prisons
Tennessee lawmakers cited a recent WPLN and ProPublica investigation that found that juvenile justice facilities run by businessman Jason Crews repeatedly failed to report abuse and other serious incidents to the state as required.
‘They’re putting kids’ lives at risk’: How abuse in a Tennessee businessman’s juvenile prisons remained under wraps
Tennessee’s highest-security youth prisons are operated by a single private company. Former staff say they felt pressure to hide abuse and other serious incidents from the state and to handle medical emergencies without calling 911.
More beds, more oversight: Report identifies needs in Tennessee’s juvenile justice system
Does Tennessee have enough bed space for justice-involved youth? That’s the question lawmakers ordered TACIR to study.
As Nashville thaws, fears over immigration enforcement remain
As a historic winter storm devastated Tennessee, the fight over immigration continued to play out at the statehouse and in Nashville’s streets.
Tennessee’s foster care kids who ‘age out’ face high rates of homelessness, addiction and incarceration, study finds
A new report from Belmont Innovation Labs has found that foster youth are suffering once they age out of the system.
DCS gets approval to add more beds for kids in state custody, but not without being told to think bigger in the future
The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services got approval to add 72 more beds for housing juvenile inmates. And they plan to ask for 500 more next session. But some lawmakers think they will need even more.
Report: Child abuse and neglect are costing Tennessee billions of dollars a year
Abuse and neglect take an enormous emotional toll on children across Tennessee. Now, a new report estimates the economic impact of child abuse, and finds it’s costing the state billions of dollars each year.
A top Republican pauses Gov. Bill Lee’s attempt to disband the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth
A bill, which seemed to be retaliatory, would’ve dissolved a commission made to audit the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. The idea came straight from the governor’s office, but it is no longer being pursued.
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