Tennessee Prison Stays Shorter Than Most States - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee prisoners serve some of the shortest terms in the nation, according to a new study.

A report by the Pew Center on the States found that on average a Tennessee prison sentence lasts just under 2 years. That's about a year shorter than the national average.

Prosecutor Torry Johnson said that the state is ahead of others by enacting for alternative punishments and probation guidelines that help reduce and better control prison populations

State Department of Corrections officials point out that while offenders are serving less time for property and drug crimes, prison time has increased by 41 percent for violent crimes.

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