Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the leadership of the Tennessee Criminal Justice Investment Task Force as established by Executive Order 6.
“We are committed to addressing all aspects of the criminal justice system to improve public safety and reentry in our state,” said Gov. Lee. “Our task force represents multiple perspectives including law enforcement, state agencies, crime victims and families, community leaders and formerly incarcerated individuals.”
The task force steering committee includes:
Brandon Gibson (Chair), Office of the Governor
Bill Gibbons, University of Memphis
Decosta Jenkins, Nashville Electric
Torry Johnson, Belmont University
Josh Smith, Master Dry
The task force also includes appointees who will oversee key areas for study. These appointments include:
Division VI Criminal Court Judge John Campbell, Criminal Code and Sentencing Examination
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long, Violent Crime
Executive Director of Men of Valor Raul Lopez, Education, Workforce Development and Re-Entry
Deputy Counsel to the Governor Clark Milner, Juvenile Justice Implementation Council
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Commissioner Jennifer Nichols, Drivers of Crime
Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Tony Parker, Probation/Parole
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Marie Williams, Mental Health and Substance Use
Over the next two legislative sessions, the task force will develop legislative and budgetary recommendations regarding the following public safety and reentry issues:
Crime prevention and recidivism reduction
Punishing violent crime promptly and effectively
Supporting crime victims and their families
Addressing mental health and substance abuse issues that lead to and impact incarceration
Revising sentencing guidelines and parole/probation standards
Addressing the rising fiscal and social costs of incarceration
Preparing inmates to re-enter society and find pathways outside of crime through education and technical job training
Equipping families and communities with tools to help returning citizens become productive members of society
During the 111th General Assembly, the Lee Administration passed measures to crack down on fentanyl traffickers, increase pay for corrections officers, increase the training pay supplement for first responders and law enforcement, reduce expungement fees and increase educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals.