Pre-Release Services

The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) has implemented several pre-release programs to ensure that offenders leave our facilities better off and better prepared to reenter our communities.

PREPARATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS:  Release from incarceration and transition back into the community involves a combined effort from the inmate, his family, community support, TDOC staff, Board of Probation and Parole (BOPP) staff, and community service agencies.  Prior to release, needs and services should be identified to aid in the transition period.  Pre-release coordinators, counselors, and institutional parole and probation officers are available to assist with pre-release and transition services.

The Division of Rehabilitative Services is responsible for establishing programs at each institution to ease inmate adjustment from institutional to "free world" life, and ultimately reduce the likelihood that the offender will re-offend.  Pre-release programming is offered at each TDOC correctional facility as well as the three private facilities.  Each facility has a designated pre-release coordinator and full-time paid program positions for inmates participating in the pre-release program.  Any inmate who is within nine months of release consideration is eligible for pre-release services.  Due to limited space availability, first priority is given to inmates granted parole with a mandate to complete the program followed by those expiring their sentence or with a release date set by BOPP.

The pre-release programs (a minimum of 50 days with 240 hours of classroom work and 30 to 60 hours of homework assignments and/or community service work) have all incorporated a cognitive behavior program based on the National Institute of Correction's "Thinking for a Change" curriculum.  The other components of the program concentrate on the following areas:

Life-skills, self esteem and self evaluation
Decision-making and critical thinking
Access to health care
Anger management and coping skills
Parenting, family, and community reunification
Substance abuse and use
Job seeking and retention
Housing plans and options
Budgeting
Legal issues
Awareness of the impact of crime and its impact on victims
Restoration of citizenship and voting rights

BOPP requires the parolee to have an approved housing and job plan prior to release for those leaving custody via parole.  Although, not required by policy for inmates completing their sentence with no parole supervision, pre-release coordinators assist those inmates with finding employment and housing.

Pre-release programs, are funded and staffed by the TDOC state budget.  Several institutions have access to volunteer programs/services that compliments the existing programs.  Volunteers are needed and can be utilized at each facility.  If you are interested, as a volunteer you can be an asset to reducing recidivism by preparing offenders for reentry into our communities.