TN Rep. Mike StewartNASHVILLE -- Democrats in the state Legislature say the Correction Department is downplaying the injuries to guards stemming from an assault by an inmate.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Stewart of Nashville on Wednesday showed hospital photos of one Morgan County Correctional Complex guard who he said had a broken orbital socket, a broken nose, a cracked thumb and 12 stiches in his lip.
The Correction Department had only described the guard's injuries as not appearing to be life-threatening.
Stewart said it is an example of the department underreporting violence at state prisons that are understaffed.
The Tennessee State Employees Association on Wednesday called for a repeal of a 28-day work cycle that the groups said causes a severe lag on overtime pay and has contributed to a nearly 40 percent staff turnover.