Bylaws

Bylaws

Pursuant to the authority granted to the Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board by Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.), Title 41, Chapter 21, the following Bylaws for this Board as set forth below are adopted by the Board as of this date, April 9, 2025.

The Board is an independent state agency responsible for reviewing the grant, denial, and removal of inmate sentence  credits by a warden for good institutional behavior and to determine whether sentence credits previously awarded should be removed for commission of a major infraction designated by the department of correction as a Class disciplinary
offense or for an inmate’s refusal to participate in an assignment. (see T.C.A. § 41-21-10002, et seq).

Mission Statement

The mission of the Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board is to deliver insights and recommendations that will enhance correctional policies and ensure that decisions regarding inmate sentencing credits are grounded in principles of fairness, accountability, and public safety.

SECTION 1. MEMBERS, OFFICERS, COMMITTEE AND DUTIES

The Board shall consist of nine (9) members with three (3) members appointed by the Governor, three (3) members  appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, and three (3) members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Three (3) members of the Board shall reside in each grand division of the state. Following the expiration of the members’ initial terms as outlined in T.C.A. § 41-21-1002(e), all appointments shall be for terms of six (6) years.  All Board members serve until the expiration of their term and until their successors are appointed and qualified. All members are eligible for reappointment following the expiration of their term.

The officers of the Board shall be a Chairperson and one (1) Vice Chairperson.

Election of Officers

The members of the Board shall elect a chair for a term of two (2) years beginning January 1 of the appropriate year.  

Duties of Officers

The Chairperson will perform their duties as outlined in the Board’s Roles and Responsibilities policy including, but not limited to, presiding at all meetings, appointing committees, and serving as principal spokesperson for the Board on policy
matters.

The Vice Chairperson will act for the Chairperson when the Chairperson is absent or has recused him or herself from the Board’s business, along with all other duties outlines in the Roles and Responsibilities policy.  The Vice Chairperson may sign all documents in the absence of the Chairperson and shall perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Chairperson or the Board.

Committees

There shall be standing committees and special committees as required to do the work of the Board. Each committee must have representation from each of the Grand Divisions whenever possible. 

Standing Committees

Appeals Committee

This committee shall consist of the three board members from each of the grand divisions. The committee shall appoint a committee chair which will call meetings of this committee, not to conflict with the regular Board meetings and shall exercise all of the powers of the Board that may lawfully be delegated, or such lesser powers as may be specified from time to time by vote of the Board.  This committee shall conduct a review of all inmate appeals and make a recommendation to the full Board, as necessary, on those appeals that should be heard by all members of the Board.  

Special Committees

In addition to the standing committee named above, the Chairperson may appoint other committees, as needed for the functioning of the Board.

SECTION 2. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETINGS

Meetings

All Board meetings shall be held in accordance with the Tennessee Open Meetings Act (T.C.A. § 8-44-101 et seq.). The Board shall meet monthly, and a schedule of meeting dates shall be developed by the Chairperson in consultation with the Executive Director and distributed to the Board members in advance.

Meeting Place

The meeting place shall be determined by the Board in consultation with the Executive Director.

Special Meetings

Special or emergency meetings may be called by the Chairperson, or by a petition of three (3) Board members.  A notice of special meeting shall be called by telephone and given through the news media, in the absence of a written notice.

Minutes

Approved minutes of each regular and/or special meeting shall be kept and shall become a part of the official records
of the Board.  A copy of approved minutes and/or video of the meeting shall be available on the board’s website for public viewing.

Community Participation

A limited time shall be set aside at Board meetings for non-Board members to address the Board.  A member of the public may speak on any issues at any meeting, with the length of time to speak on any issue left to the discretion of the Chairperson.

Quorum

Fifty-one percent of the actual Board membership at the time of a meeting shall constitute a quorum for official business.

SECTION 3. STAFF AND FUNDS

The Board shall be staffed by an Executive Director employed by the Board.  Other personnel shall be employed as needed and in accordance with the Board’s budget, laws, and regulations.

Executive Director

The Executive Director shall be responsible to the Board for carrying out the policies, programs, and directives of the Board and all other duties, as defined, in the Roles and Responsibilities policy.

Travel

Travel and other expenses shall be paid according to the rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration. When traveling, state employees should be as conservative as circumstances permit. The lower cost should be selected whenever practical. Reimbursement for travel will be based upon the most direct or expeditious
route possible. Employees traveling by an indirect route must assume any extra expense incurred.

SECTION 4.  BYLAWS GOVERNANCE

These bylaws shall be governed by and shall comply with Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 21, and any
other statutes or regulations applicable to state boards and commissions generally. The Board may vote to amend these bylaws and adopt, or amend, any policies by a majority vote of the actual membership of the Board.

SECTION 5. STANDING RULES

Standing Rules, as approved by the Board, shall be considered a part of the Bylaws.

Standing Rule No. 1 - Each Board member shall receive a copy of the agenda not later than two days in advance of
a meeting.

Standing Rule No. 2 - Minutes of all committee and Board meetings shall be sent to all Board members.

Standing Rule No. 3 - All requests for out-of-state travel must have concurrent approval of the
Chairperson and the Executive Director.

Standing Rule No. 4 - Where these Bylaws are silent, Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall apply.

SECTION 6. AMENDMENTS

The Bylaws of the Board may be amended by a majority of the Board following submission of the suggested
changes to each member by mail or electronic mail at least ten (10) days prior to consideration of such changes by the Board.

SECTION 7.  CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Board members must self-report any conflicts of interest or need for recusal from hearing specific cases/incidents/or
matters before the Board. In an instance where a board members has expressed either verbally, in writing or by any other means of communication his or her bias toward a specific case/incident/or matter, or toward a type of case/incident/or
matter, a vote by a majority of board members may remove the conflicted board members from hearing the specific case/incident/or matter.

SECTION 8.  GRIEVANCE PROCESS

Board members having a grievance or concern with the executive director, fellow board members, or any other IDOB
related party shall process their grievance in accordance with current Tennessee Department of Human Resources administrative and personnel policies and procedures.