FACT Personal radios and televisions may be purchased by inmates or provided by their family. They are not furnished by the state. MYTH Inmates are not required to wear prison clothing. All inmates are required to wear prison-made uniforms. The only exceptions are those inmates assigned to work release while on the job.
MYTH Prisons are country clubs.
The Tennessee Department of Correction's prison facilities are all maintained in good condition. All institutions are maintained in a high state of sanitary conditions, and the buildings and grounds can be considered to be immaculate. Noteworthy is that inmates do the maintenance work to keep the institutions clean. Albeit the above conditions are found at all institutions, each cell may be considered stark as compared to average free-world living conditions, in that they are furnished with a steel bed, commode, sink, mirror and shelf. Cells are generally 80 square feet and accommodate two people.