NASHVILLE — Tennessee’s Senate and House speakers said Friday that legislative committees are cranking up for hearings about a guard shortage that is leaving Tennessee prisons undermanned.
Critics contend the shortage is linked to a corrections department cost-cutting overtime policy.
“Recent reports of problems at the Department of Correction are troubling to say the least,” Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, the Republican Senate speaker, said in a statement. “Correction officers are committed public servants with tough and dangerous jobs. We must do all we can to ensure they are protected while at work.”
Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell announced the controversy will be the topic of an Aug. 10 hearing before the House State and Local Government Committee.
“The purpose of it would be to have them in to discuss mostly prison staffing issues,” said Kara Owen, Harwell’s spokeswoman.