Tennessee jails face overcrowding due to new laws addressing mental incompetency of violent offenders.

Tennessee jails face overcrowding as two new state laws set to take effect in July aim to stop the release of violent offenders deemed mentally incompetent. Jillian's Law requires automatic commitment for such offenders, while another law funds mental health evaluations and treatment for misdemeanor offenders. Advocates fear the laws may worsen jail overcrowding due to insufficient treatment programs and psychiatric bed staffing.

June 30, 2024
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