(NASHVILLE, TN) – The full Senate gave final approval today for legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Faulk (R-Church Hill), Senate Corrections Sub-committee Chairman, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Tennessee’s probation and parole system.  The legislation gives the State Department of Corrections authority to supervise probation and parole services to provide a seamless one person contact for offenders throughout the entire criminal justice system. 

“Studies show that this is the optimal model to increase effectiveness in helping to keep these offenders on the ‘straight and narrow’ since it follows the prisoner throughout the corrections process,” said Senator Faulk.  “In addition, it increases efficiency in correction operations and will save the state nearly three quarters of a million dollars without any apparent change in personnel.”

Senate Bill 2248 is a result of Governor Haslam’s top to bottom review of departments and agencies conducted last year. The consolidation of these agencies will reduce the competition for providers and allow for continuity of a single point of contact for prisoners throughout their supervision.  Forty states operate under a consolidated system, which is widely recognized as a best practice in corrections. The existing organizational structure that actually performs under the Board of Pardons and Paroles will remain intact upon transfer to the Department of Corrections.     

“Anytime you can increase effectiveness and achieve efficiency at the same time it is a win-win for taxpayers and the state government process,” added Faulk.  “I applaud the Governor and his administration for bringing this bill forward and am proud to have carried it to passage for them.”   

The bill, which is currently pending action in the House of Representatives Finance Subcommittee, must receive approval by the House before becoming law.   

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