Republican Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey.NASHVILLE – After months of controversies over safety and working conditions for prison guards under embattled Correction Commissioner Derrick Schofield’s policies, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey is suggesting it’s time for “new leadership” at the agency.
Ramsey, the Senate speaker, said that since Schofield works for fellow Republican Gov. Bill Haslam, “it’s completely up to him.”
“But there are times that come in every department where a change at the top would help,” he added.
Asked for comment, Haslam spokeswoman Jennifer Donnals said via email Friday night: “An independent review in October said the state was running a safe, effective prison system, and the governor has no intention of asking Commissioner Schofield to resign.”
Ramsey’s comments came during a question-and-answer session Friday with reporters. Schofield is under fire in areas ranging from changes to prison guard work schedules and high guard vacancy rates to his controversial redefinition of violent inmate-on-guard assaults.