TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Dec 26, 2024

The Tennessee Board of Parole once again granted parole to a smaller percentage of people who came before it this year than the year before, continuing a The Tennessee Board of Parole once again granted parole to a smaller percentage of people who came before it this year than the year before, continuing a trend of lengthier sentences of incarceration with fewer chances for early release. A new analysis by the Tennessean found that the board granted parole in just 22.3% of hearings in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, which ended June 30. It also held fewer hearings than the previous year. The number of prisoners granted parole in Tennessee has been declining since 2019. The board attributes the decline in part to normal fluctuation over time, saying it, “Remains committed to minimizing public risk and the prudent, orderly release of adult offenders into the community when they become parole eligible ...”. Wanda Bertram, spokesperson for the Prison Policy Initiative, says the drop is more likely explained by changing attitudes toward parole.