NASHVILLE, Tenn. - In accordance with state law, the Department of Correction is now accepting applications from recognized news organizations to serve as statutorily required witnesses for the scheduled execution of death row inmate Pervis Payne.  The execution is currently scheduled for 1 a.m. CST on December 12, 2007.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Department of Correction Commissioner George Little has named veteran state employee Jerry Lester as Director of the Internal Affairs Division.  Lester had served as interim director since November, 2006.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - They are often considered the forgotten victims of crime.  Children of inmates are the most severely at-risk children and youth in America today.  In fact, they are six times more likely than their peers to end up in prison themselves.  The holidays present a particularly difficult time for children of inmates.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Correction’s Internal Affairs division has captured several former inmates who escaped from TDOC custody.  They were arrested as part of an ongoing investigation called “Operational Clean Sweep.”  TDOC agents tracked down six escapees, several of whom escaped from prison more than 25 years ago.  Their crimes include drug charges, grand larceny and forgery.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - One of the most important lessons inmates can learn while incarcerated is how to be good parents when they return to their children.  The Tennessee Department of Correction and the Nashville Area Association for the Education of Young Children have joined together to offer a new, comprehensive series of parenting classes to inmates at the Tennessee Prison for Women.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Death row inmate Ricky Thompson was pronounced dead at Centennial Medical Center on October 17, 2007, at approximately 10:50 p.m. of apparent natural causes. He was 57 years old.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The death sentence of Daryl Holton was executed by means of electrocution on September 12, 2007 in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee. 

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Everyone likes to complain about the problem, but who wants to get involved?  That’s a question the Tennessee Department of Correction is issuing to Memphis area residents as the need for volunteers becomes urgent.  “Something needs to be done to change the cycle of incarceration in Tennessee,” said TDOC Volunteer Services Director Richard Dixon.  “Thousands of people leave Tennessee prisons with no job, no money, no family and without places to live.  This increases their chances of re-offending and returning to prison.  No one wants to see that.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Correction and the Sex Offender Treatment Board will hold the 11th Annual Sex Offender Treatment Board Conference themed “Back to the Basics:  Getting to the Core of Sex Offender Treatment.”  This year’s conference will focus on the major clinical issues that professionals face when working with sex offenders.  It will provide core strategies for improving both the treatment process and outcomes.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mark H. Luttrell Correctional Center Warden Reuben Hodge will be sworn-in on Monday, July 2 as the new Assistant Commissioner of Operations for the Tennessee Department of Correction.  Commissioner George H. Little appointed Hodge to the position because of his vast experience and dedication to the State of Tennessee.  “I’m looking forward to great things from Assistant Commissioner Hodge and the entire Operations Division,” said Commissioner Little.