Recidivism is not a subject associated with good news.  Recidivism generally refers to an offender’s participation in criminal endeavors subsequent to their release from prison and is usually the basis that results in their return to incarceration.  More than 1800 offenders each day or nearly 700,000 each year are released from prison.  TN Department of Correction Studies show that by the 3^rd year of an offender’s release almost 75% have returned to incarceration.  Our goal is to reduce recidivism rates by implementing programs and services in our jails and prisons to improve reentry education and employment outcomes by providing preemployment life-skills class/transitional education and support mentors, job coaching, job placement and job retention services to program participants.  By providing these intervention programs TN will experience positive outcomes for released offenders resulting in higher rates of employment, improved readiness for work, improved stability in critical period after release due to employment and income, reduced recidivism and violation of supervision conditions.

One in ten of the nation’s children have a parent under criminal justice control—in jail or prison, or on probation or parole [1].  Separation due to incarceration can cause trauma and long-lasting harm to children, their parents/caregivers, families, and communities. TCaware seeks to keep families together by providing education regarding high-risk choices.  Our classes help individuals define what is important to them (family, good health, friends etc....), leading them through a journey that involves new ways of thinking about high- risk activities that lead to the likelihood of problems.  By helping communities divert justice-involved parents/primary caregivers from incarceration/re-entry, our program promotes the unification of families, prevents children from entering the foster care and/or juvenile justice systems, and allow parents or primary caregivers involved with the justice system to remain united with their children to improve family outcomes. 

[1] Martin, E. (2017). "Hidden consequences: The impact of incarceration on dependent children." Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice. https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/hidden-consequences-impact-incarceration-dependent-children.