Tennessee Lookout Reports on Revival of Community Corrections Program in the State

The Tennessee Department of Correction is set to revive Community Corrections programs with $11 million in funding and a new contract, according to state Senator Ed Jackson. The program, created in 1985 as an alternative to typical probation for offenders, had been practically eliminated by Gov. Bill Lee’s administration in 2022. Lawmakers passed a measure in 2023 to prevent the Department of Correction from penalizing Community Corrections agencies, signaling their desire for the program to continue.
Jackson, along with other lawmakers, has been negotiating the revival of the program, responding to the request of criminal court judges who believe in its effectiveness. The program is expected to resume in Madison, Chester, and Henderson counties, with plans to start taking felony cases again. The Department of Correction has recognized the merits of the program and is working towards bringing it back.
The resurgence of Community Corrections programs is seen as a positive step towards providing effective probation services based on the long-standing state law. With the new funding and contract in place, the program is expected to strengthen the Community Corrections Association and have a positive impact on offender supervision. Stay tuned for more updates on the relaunch of the program in Tennessee.

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