Tennessee Prison Reform Legislation & Advocacy Updates

Stay informed on the legislation, policies, and advocacy efforts shaping prison reform in Tennessee.
This page provides legislative updates, advocacy priorities, and opportunities to take action. As policy discussions evolve, Kylan’s Light is committed to giving supporters a clear place to follow what is happening and how to respond.

Current Tennessee Legislation

Access the latest legislative summaries and advocacy updates provided by our legislative team.

Advocacy in Action

Watch Tim speak before Tennessee lawmakers about prison reform, accountability, and the mission driving Kylan’s Light as he advocates for meaningful change within Tennessee’s correctional system.

Advocacy Resources

Use the tools below to stay informed and connect with the officials representing your community.

Find Your Elected Official

The image shows the upper part of a historic building with tall columns and a clock tower. The building is made of light-colored stone, and there are two flags on top of the tower, one of the United States and the other possibly a state or city flag, against a clear blue sky.

Locate the elected official who represents your district in Tennessee.

Find Your Elected Official

Track Tennessee Bills

Gavel and scales representing justice reform and prison legislation advocacy in Tennessee

Stay updated on active legislation and policy changes.

Track Bill

How to Contact Your Elected Officials

Advocacy begins when your voice is heard. Use the steps below to contact your elected officials and help advocate for meaningful prison reform in Tennessee.

American and Tennessee flags flying atop a building with ornate architecture against a blue sky.

  • Use the Tennessee legislator finder tool to locate the elected official representing your district.

  • Use our sample advocacy letter as a guide when drafting your message to elected officials.
    ____

    I hope letter this finds you well.

    I want to share some grave concerns I have about our prisons.

    1. Private prisons are not the answer to incarceration. For 30+ years, we have outsourced this responsibility to a corporation with an unreasonably high prison mortality rate. We should not have to worry that our loved ones are going to die in a Tennessee prison. Please stop funding private prisons before they do any more damage.

    2. Families are suffering as much as inmates in all Tennessee prisons: their incarceration is our prison too. We are being extorted, yet we can afford it the least. What do you expect us to do when gang members tell you pay us or we will beat, rape or kill your loved one?

    3. Drugs are rampant in TN prisons, and they are killing our loved ones: If we are to run safe and secure prisons, we must remove illegal drugs.

    4. TDOC and CoreCivic must be held accountable. The Prison Oversight Committee should be reinstated to examine the TDOC, which has proven incapable of policing its department. We must demand answers when our loved ones are being beaten, extorted and raped. 

    5. Tennesseans have ideas for improving the prison system. Please listen. If we keep doing the same things, we can only expect the same poor results.

    Please help us. What’s happening in Tennessee prisons is not justice. Taxpayers cannot afford to pay so much for such poor results.

    Thank you in advance.

    Sincerely,

    Concerned Citizen

  • Personalize your message and contact your elected official to advocate for accountability, dignity, and meaningful reform.

Make an Impact Today

Kylan’s Light was created to bring awareness, advocacy, and accountability to Tennessee’s prison system, and to support families and individuals impacted by incarceration.

Your donation helps support:

  • Advocacy and reform efforts

  • Community education and awareness

  • Outreach and speaking engagements

  • Resources for families navigating the system

Every contribution helps us continue this work and shine a light where it’s needed most.