Representative Rich Asks the Tough Questions on Parole Board Controversy

October 16, 2012 Uncategorized — Sarah Waters @ 10:38 pm

A recent audit of The Tennessee Board of Parole found that some parole officers have been checking on deceased felons, while failing to check on violent criminals and punish them accordingly. Representative Rich, Vice Chair of the Government Operations Committee, pressed the Board in a hearing last week. Rich and other legislators expressed their concern about the falsified reports, and mostly that the officers who were found to have falsified reports were not disciplined. Representative Rich was critical of Board of Parole Chairman, Charles Traughber. “I don’t think that Mr. Traughber is specifically the cause, but I believe that, in and of itself, I would be embarrassed to know that under my watch that this has happened,” he told The Tennessean. Gary Tullock, who was in charge of the state’s parole and probation officers, has resigned, and the two officers in question are no longer working for the state. The spokesperson for the Department of Corrections told The Tennessean that the investigation ordered by Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Derrick Schofield is ongoing.

“TN parole board failings go back years” The Tennessean. Haas, Brian. 14 Oct 2012


	Home About Barrett Issues District 94 Contact Me Representative Rich Asks the Tough Questions on Parole Board Controversy October 16, 2012 Uncategorized — Sarah Waters @ 10:38 pm A recent audit of The Tennessee Board of Parole found that some parole officers have been checking on deceased felons, while failing to check on violent criminals and punish them accordingly. Representative Rich, Vice Chair of the Government Operations Committee, pressed the Board in a hearing last week. Rich and other legislators expressed their concern about the falsified reports, and mostly that the officers who were found to have falsified reports were not disciplined. Representative Rich was critical of Board of Parole Chairman, Charles Traughber. “I don’t think that Mr. Traughber is specifically the cause, but I believe that, in and of itself, I would be embarrassed to know that under my watch that this has happened,” he told The Tennessean. Gary Tullock, who was in charge of the state’s parole and probation officers, has resigned, and the two officers in question are no longer working for the state. The spokesperson for the Department of Corrections told The Tennessean that the investigation ordered by Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Derrick Schofield is ongoing. “TN parole board failings go back years” The Tennessean. Haas, Brian. 14 Oct 2012 The American Conservative Union (ACU), the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization, this week announced that State Representative Barrett Rich (R–Somerville) has been awarded the coveted ACU ‘Defender of Liberty’ award. The award, which is presented to those members of the Tennessee General Assembly who scored 100 percent on the ACU Tennessee 2013 State Legislative Rating, is the organization’s highest and most revered honor available to lawmakers. “I am truly humbled to be presented this award by the American Conservative Union,” said Representative Rich. “I am committed to working with my colleagues in the Tennessee General Assembly to lower taxes, cut government waste, and help create an environment in our state where businesses can grow and thrive. I am thankful for organizations like the ACU who recognize the work of our conservative Republican majority and look forward to advancing our shared Tennessee values even further in the coming weeks.” For more information on the American Conservative Union or to download the full Tennessee 2013 State Legislative Ratings Guide, please click here or visit their website at conservative.org. Barrett Rich serves as Chairman of the House Health Subcommittee. He is also a member of the House Criminal Justice Committee and House Ethics Committee. He represents District 94, which encompasses all of Fayette, McNairy, and a portion of Hardeman Counties. He can be reached by email at Rep.Barrett.Rich@capitol.tn.gov or by calling 1-800-449-8366, ext. 16890.