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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Seven service dogs trained by offenders in Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) custody graduated from the Retrieving Independence (RI) program last week.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – To the naked eye, Demetrius Dotson looks like any other graduate. With a royal blue cap and gown, complete with a silver 2023 emblem dangling from the tassel - his state issued prison blue uniform is hardly noticeable. But Demetrius’ journey is far from average.

NASHVILLE – More than 100 inmates who could be released from Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) custody in the next few months spent the day preparing for their life after prison.

NASHVILLE – The Board of Parole (BOP), Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and Tennessee Rehabilitative Initiative in Correction (TRICOR) are hosting a dove release ceremony to honor crime victims and recognize victim advocates during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 23-29. The sponsoring agencies will hold the event in Chattanooga at 11 a.m. EDT (10 a.m. CDT) on Friday, April 28 at the Walker Pavilion in Coolidge Park (120 River Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405). As a ceremonial tribute, doves will be released at the conclusion of the event.

HENNING – The impact of substance use on children was the focus of a recent program at TDOC’s Women’s Therapeutic Residential Center (WTRC) in Henning.

NASHVILLE – The last time these men and women were in a courtroom, they were about to be sent to prison. Instead, they were given a second chance to turn their lives around.

TIPTONVILLE – In celebration of Black History Month, the Northwest Correctional Complex (NWCX) in Tiptonville held an informational program for incarcerated men. The annual event was a chance to educate the men about the history of successful African Americans and the importance of cultural diversity.

MEMPHIS – Nine men at the Mark Luttrell Transition Center (MLTC) in Memphis welcomed their daughters to the facility for a special Valentine's Day visitation earlier this week.

NASHVILLE – Two members of the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) Strike Force team were recognized for their heroic action after saving the life of a correctional officer at the DeBerry Special Needs Facility (DSNF) earlier this month.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) is now accepting applications for the Citizens Correctional Academy, a five-week program designed to give Tennesseans an in-depth look at the state’s largest law enforcement agency.

NASHVILLE – Death row inmate James Dellinger has passed away of apparent natural causes. Dellinger, 71, was pronounced deceased at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution at 11:58 a.m. on Monday, January 16, 2023.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the appointment of Frank Strada to serve as commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC), effective January 9. Strada succeeds Lisa Helton, who has served the department as interim commissioner since December 2022.

NASHVILLE – Beginning January 2023, the Tennessee Department of Correction will require every person entering a TDOC prison to be screened by a full body scanner.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Following a months-long third-party review of lethal injection operations at the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC), Tennessee Governor Bill Lee today announced several decisive actions to ensure the department adheres to established protocol. Additionally, the Governor proactively released the independent investigator’s third-party report to the public.