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Criminal justice expert says new TDOC supervision policy improves public safety

Involves less supervision for low risk offenders on probation and parole, even murderers

By Nate Morabito
WJHL

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — It may sound counterproductive, but a local criminal justice expert says less supervision for low risk offenders on probation and parole, even murderers, is a good thing. In fact, East Tennessee State University Assistant Criminal Justice Professor Dr. Jennifer Pealer is applauding the Tennessee Department of Correction’s new supervision standards, which a Community Watchdog investigation uncovered earlier this week.

“When I heard about it I was actually very happy that DOC has implemented this type of policy, because it’s actually bringing Tennessee aligned with what the research shows we should be doing and this research has been around for many years,” she said.

The major policy shift now dedicates most of the state’s resources to supervising higher risk offenders, while giving so-called lower risk offenders, including some convicted first and second-degree murderers in our area, a longer leash. TDOC determines an offender’s risk using an assessment program.

WJHL.com

Full story: Criminal justice expert says new TDOC supervision policy improves public safety

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