Tennessee lawmakers have passed a bill that could mean prison time for sleeping in public spaces. It s the latest effort to regulate homelessness in a state. The bill now goes to the governor.
Some Tennessee lawmakers are pushing for those convicted of crimes to serve their full sentences, with no chance of early release. But critics worry that without the incentive of reduced prison time, people won't be motivated to change.
Samantha Max covers criminal justice for WPLN and joins the newroom through the Report for America program. This is her second year with Report for America: She spent her first year in Macon, Ga., covering health and inequity for The Telegraph and macon.com.