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2006 Criminal Justice Summit:  Regional Summit Summary Our vision for the 2006 Criminal Justice Summit is to effect definitive positive change in Tennessee's Criminal Justice system and to create a robust model of communication and action that other states may replicate to advance their own criminal justice systems. The purpose of the 2006 Summit is to chart a future course for criminal justice in Tennessee by: Building on the accomplishments of the 2004 Summit Providing a forum for broad participation and input into the development of a shared, statewide vision of criminal justice and corrections in Tennessee Identifying strategies for ongoing criminal justice partnership and collaboration statewide, regionally, and locally Learning about effective strategies to reduce recidivism that are being implemented throughout the nation and their relevance to Tennessee Articulating some of the critical next steps necessary to achieve a vision of success for criminal justice in Tennessee. Early this summer, the Department of Correction and the Board of Probation and Parole hosted three regional summits, one in Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville, to bring together a diverse group of criminal justice stakeholders from across the state to discuss the impact of the 2004 Summit, to identify effective strategies for ongoing partnership and collaboration, and to develop a shared vision of success.  More than 135 criminal justice professionals, victim advocates, community services providers, and State agency representatives participated in these regional summits (approximately 40-60 participants each). Participants identified numerous problems/issues currently facing Tennessee's criminal justice system.  Problems identified at each of the regional summits were: System fragmentation Lack of early intervention tools, particularly youth Negative public perception Lack of common vision, collaboration, and information sharing Funding Participants were charged not only with identifying problems of the current system, but also with identifying strategies to bring about a shared vision for the future.  Among the most common recommendations were the following: Develop a statewide criminal justice consortium of key decision-makers Prevention at an early age Quit building prisons Collect and share data on measurable outcomes Increase use of alternatives to incarceration and community-based programs Develop strategies for media and public education   Send any comments and questions to TDOC Webmaster.