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State Ruling Continues to Prevent Woodland Hills from Using Pepper Spray

94 views · Published 11 February 2015 · 2:30 · Indexed 7 October 2026

Channel: FOX NASHVILLE · 2015 · News & Politics

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- With the Woodland Hills head security manager stepping down, lawmakers want to know if plans to make the juvenile detention center are still a priority. 

In September, teens broke out of the facility three times. 

Shortly after the escapes, The Department of Children Services hired former member of law enforcement and security expert Michael Gordon. DCS and Gordon held several public meetings with Bordeaux neighbors and lawmakers to discuss the possibility of pepper spray and dormitory locks. 

It's not known if those promises will be fulfilled because the Tennessee court ruling Doe vs. Bradley has yet to change. There's no telling if it will. 

"Is it ever going to change?" State Senator Thelma Harper said. 

Senator Harper told FOX 17 she plans on asking the Attorney General and the DCS Commissioner if the state ruling will change so guards can restrain students during an escape. 

After security manager Michael Gordon's sudden resignation, Metro council member Lonnell Matthews wants to know if Bordeaux neighbors will still get an alert messaging system in the event of a juvenile break out. 

"It was just an agreement that was put in place€ some type of notification process to make sure neighbors were notified in a timely matter," Matthews said. 

Matthews is waiting to hear from DCS if the neighborhood alert will become a reality. 

"I think whatever happens at Woodland Hills, that's going to determine what's going to go on in Bordeaux," Senator Harper said. 

After Governor Bill Haslam's State of the State address Monday night, there was some confusion over the future of the youth development center. Some assumed possible budget cuts could mean privatization. DCS spokespeople assured FOX 17 that the center will not be privatized. 

During a senate committee meeting Tuesday morning, Senator Harper asked DCS Commissioner Jim Henry to clarify the future of Woodland Hills. 

"We understand that Woodland Hills still going to be a state institution -- not a private?" Harper said. 

Henry insisted that DCS will still run the juvenile detention center, but they're is working to move more kids out of institutions and into foster care. 

"We need to dramatically change what we're doing with the facilities," Commissioner Jim Henry said during the senate committee meeting. 

Regarding Doe vs. Bradley, Metro council member Matthews said he would like to meet with the Attorney General himself. 

"If he would be willing to meet with the community along with the commissioner -- we would love to have him," Matthews said.

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