The Tennessee Community Corrections Association was formally established on February 27, 1990 as a coalition of Community Corrections Employees and supporters throughout the State who seek to support and enhance the intentions of the Tennessee Community Corrections Act (TCA 40-36-101 et. The Community Corrections Act was written in 1985 to provide judges with enhanced sentencing alternatives for adult felony offenders and also to help reserve prison bed space for more violent and career criminals. There are now 19 Community Corrections agencies statewide, comprised of County Programs, Human Resource Agencies and private non-profit programs. These programs consist of direct supervision agencies, residential facilities and day reporting centers. Through utilization of the Community Corrections programs, Tennessee taxpayers avoid the high costs of jail or prison incarceration while still reducing the probability of continued criminal behavior of the felony offender while maintaining the safety of the community. The Community Corrections Programs’ involvement in the Joint Offender Management
Plan has resulted in an increase in active supervision, as well as an increase
in residential bed capacity. During FY 10-11, all Community Corrections Supervision Programs have completed training in the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) and Motivational Interaction (MI) assessment tools. The LS/CMI results combined with MI techniques are evidence-based tools to access and respond to the risks, needs and criminogenic targets for offenders. Factors identified and addressed are criminal history; education and employment; family and marital issues; leisure and recreation activities; companions; substance abuse problems; pro-criminal attitude and orientation; and anti-social patterns. Some agencies have on staff Licensed Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counselors (LADAC), Certified Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) facilitators, Certified Cognitive Behavioral Facilitators & Licensed Counselors. Programs offer in-house treatment options as well as referrals to outside agencies for all other services. The Community Corrections Program continues to be successful in providing alternative sentencing options for local Courts. The availability of treatment services for alcohol and drug problems, responsible thinking & behavior change programs, as well as mental health issues, are key components to the success of the program. The Community Corrections recidivism rate is defined as the number of offenders revoked and sentenced back to either local jails or State prison facilities. The recidivism rate in FY 2010-2011 was 15.5%, with 1,626 total offenders revoked out of an offender population totaling 10,449. Community Corrections successfully closed 1,135 cases, of 10.8 percent of the total offender population. As of June 30, 2011, the Community Corrections Offender population was 7,584 with an average cost per day of $4.71 per offender. The Community Corrections Programs have a proven track record of meeting goals, diverting offenders from prison and aiding the offenders in becoming contributing members of our community. These achievements have been accomplished with the help of Judges, District Attorneys, Defense Attorneys, Legislators, Community Corrections employees, Advisory Boards and supporters.
