Minimum Custody Inmate Walks Off From NWCX

This morning a minimum custody inmate under indirect supervision walked away from his assigned mowing crew outside the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville TN. The inmate, Richard Roberts #307025, was being housed at the NWCX Minimum Security Annex and was serving 10 years for Theft of Property from Davidson County.

Officers patrolling the outer property grounds noticed Roberts had absconded and appropriate procedures were implemented immediately. TDOC’s Office of Investigation and Compliance, working in concert with local law enforcement agencies, is investigating the matter.

Incidents such as this are rare. Roberts is one of approximately 1,000 minimum custody offenders who work under indirect supervision outside the secure perimeter of the Department’s facilities each day. Offenders selected to work outside of secure compounds are thoroughly scrutinized via our classification methods and have been determined to pose minimal risk for absconding. The Department is continuously implementing best practices to enhance safety, and is fully prepared to respond to incidents such as this when they do occur.