Reliance on Solitary Confinement as a Long-Term Correctional Solution Is on the Decline in Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Corrections has implemented a series of administrative changes to reduce the use of restrictive housing.

Key points:

• Tennessee Department of Corrections has implemented procedural changes “to reduce restrictive housing to an irreducible minimum.”
• Lawmakers should revise the statutory prohibition on earned credits to those assigned to restrictive housing. Instead, allow TDOC discretion to determine if a degree of credit is appropriate based on successful program compliance.