Tennessee Lawmakers Demand Answers on Safety in State Youth Prisons

Four Tennessee Democratic lawmakers have sent a letter to the Department of Children's Services demanding answers about safety in the state's juvenile justice facilities. The request follows a joint investigation by ProPublica and WPLN that revealed Wayne Halfway House, the company operating three of Tennessee's highest-security youth prisons, repeatedly failed to report serious incidents involving children to state authorities.

The lawmakers cited the ProPublica and WPLN investigation, which included interviews with former staff and youth, as well as a review of company records and state documents. They expressed concern over allegations of physical and sexual abuse, dangerous restraints, injuries, and other critical incidents going unreported by Wayne Halfway House (WHH).

The lawmakers are seeking a transparent and independently verifiable response from the Department of Children's Services. They are asking for information on steps the department is taking to address the allegations, the amount of money the state spends on youth placed in WHH facilities, and who is being considered for the operation of new juvenile facilities being built by the department.

The lawmakers also request a meeting with Department leadership to discuss these issues, review the department's response, and determine necessary legislative and administrative actions to ensure the safety of all children. They point out that this investigation joins a "long and deeply troubling record of reports" on juvenile justice facilities across the state.