Published on: Friday, June 27, 2025
In determining whether an inmate should be paroled, Tennessee's Board of Parole relies on hearing officers who conduct hearings, take testimony, and propose recommendations. The Board also relies on a computer test, STRONG-R, to assess a particular inmate's fitness for parole. Allegation: The tests aren't always right—for instance, falsely flagging one plaintiff as having recently developed a drug addiction. And inmates can't meaningfully challenge the results. Sixth Circuit: Bummer if true, but because inmates don't have a protected liberty interest in parole, it doesn't really matter. What do you want us to do?
The case is Thomas v. Montgomery, No. 24-5637 (6th Cir. 2025).