Tennessee (TN) — State Brief
Juvenile Justice (2015–2025)
Context
Tennessee blends county probation practices with statewide provider partnerships for in-home services and reentry supports. Education and MH/SUD continuity at release are key focus areas.
Pipeline Snapshot
- Intake & Screening: County juvenile staff/DCS; statewide Uniform Risk/Needs (YLS/CMI) + MAYSI MH screen.
- Detention: Statute-limited to violent/felony or risk; statewide screening tool since ~2018; rural areas use multicounty centers.
- Adjudication & Disposition: Juvenile courts; dispositions: diversion, probation, or commitment to DCS; 2021 law tightened transfer for violent offenses.
- Commitment & Placement: DCS custody for serious/repeat; YDC secure facilities + contracts; some crossover to foster for younger teens.
- Reentry & Aftercare: DCS family service workers provide aftercare; reentry planning ~60 days pre-release; Youth Villages contracts in some regions.
- Authority: State-administered: DCS controls probation/custody; courts make orders; some counties still run court probation.
- Policies: Title 37; Juvenile Justice Reform Act 2018; 2023 firearm-related changes.
- Data Handoff: TFACTS holds custody data; court systems vary; weak adult handoff tracking if youth ages out on probation.
Notes & Sources
- TN DCS JJ reports; legislative summaries.