Judges in six counties in Southeast Tennessee have joined with state human resources officials to launch a new recovery court for nonviolent offenders, according to a statement from the presiding judge.
"We are fortunate to work in partnership with the Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency to implement and administer this newly expanded program," presiding 12th Judicial District Circuit Judge Justin Angel said in a news release.
The program will focus on assisting nonviolent offenders in the district's Bledsoe, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Rhea and Sequatchie counties with resources for counseling and recovery, Angel said. The Recovery Court will utilize three recently opened Day Reporting Centers — each strategically located to better serve the district's communities. The three centers provide a location where participants can attend supervision meetings, obtain counseling and find assistance with employment and housing needs. The Day Reporting/Community Resource Center program was created under a 2016 state law.
(READ MORE: Once-resistant rural court officials begin to embrace medications to treat addiction)
"This program is exactly what our community needs to best combat addiction and recidivism," Angel said in the release. "This new model will allow us to reach more individuals throughout our large judicial district. Too often, we see overdoses, fentanyl poisoning, drug crimes and other drug related events that could be prevented by sobriety and recovery. This program will be on the front lines working to administer justice when needed, while focusing on alternative methods of solving our drug problem."
The judges' partner in the new court can offer its programs to participants.
(READ MORE: Graduates tell their stories as Conasauga drug court celebrates 20th anniversary)
"The Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency is proud to partner with the 12th Judicial District and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to provide a path to recovery for nonviolent offenders," Rachel C. Hackwork, executive director of the Southeast Tennessee Human Resources Agency, said. "We are honored to work alongside judges who genuinely care about the people who come before them who are struggling with addiction. This program is not only an opportunity to save and change lives, but to improve the quality of life for the people we serve."
A kickoff event for the Recovery Court will be at 4 p.m. CDT Friday at the Sequatchie County Courthouse in Dunlap, Tennessee.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.