Institutional, probation, and community correction work crews completed 1,644,710.34 hours of free labor for non-profit organizations in Tennessee during 1996 with little or no incident. MYTH Inmates who go to prison are given a college education at the taxpayers' expense. No inmate is offered a college education at the state's expense. In fact, federal pell grants are no longer available to incarcerated felons in any state. The inmate is responsible for securing funding for these programs.
MYTH Inmates are able to file lawsuits about anything and everything at the taxpayers' expense.
Upon filing a complaint with the court, the petitioning inmate must prove inability to pay. If in the opinion of the court, he is truly indigent, then he, like any other citizen, will have access to the courts without payment of court costs. MYTH Furloughs are granted by the TDOC to inmates at will, allowing them to roam and pillage our communities and commit other crimes. In all such instances the inmate must meet eligibility criteria, record must not report a pattern of violence toward others, a positive institutional record, be recommended by screening committee, and approved by the warden. Inmates who have been approved for release and are within 30 days of a verified release date may be granted one 48 hour furlough to allow them to obtain an employment and residence plan.