Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The number of recorded assaults on prison officers is down compared with a year ago, but critics say it’s hard to accept any statistics from the Tennessee Department of Correction as fact.
The Tennessean reports data from the correction department shows there have been 31 fewer assaults since July 1 compared with last fiscal year.
Gov. Bill Haslam and department Commissioner Derrick Schofield have consistently said violence is down in Tennessee prisons, but inmates and their families continue to tell lawmakers and the media that the prisons are more violent than ever.
Tennessee House Democratic Chairman Mike Stewart says he is skeptical about the statistics because multiple assaults have been previously misreported as lesser provocations.
Department officials say correctional officers are now more accurately recording violent acts.