NASHVILLE – Hamilton County could be in line for an innovative Tennessee Department of Correction program that puts nonviolent felons struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues through an intensive one-year, three-phase program as an alternative to prison.
The Day Reporting/Community Resource Center program was created under a 2016 state law. It’s already in operation in six counties, including Knox, Davidson and Shelby.
Participants undergo counseling and are taught, among other things, anger management, life and job skills. They also learn how to combat their drug or alcohol problems, get access to adult education and help with finding work.
Tennessee Day Reporting/Community Resource Center program
Under a 2016 state law the Tennessee Department of Correction implemented the centers, which serve as alternatives to incarceration by placing eligible participants in structured and intensive outpatient programs. The programs provide resources and services to offenders to assist them as they work toward becoming productive citizens in their communities.The DRC/CRC is a one-year, three-phase program that will assist moderate- to high-risk offenders with a substance use issue and/or a mental health issue. To be eligible, participants must have received a felony conviction, be under TDOC’s Community Supervision program and have at least 2 years left on probation supervision, and/or have substance use concerns.Source: Tennessee Department of Correction