Pre-Release Services

The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) has implemented several pre-release programs to ensure that offenders leave our facilities better prepared to reenter our communities.

PREPARATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS:  Release from incarceration and transition back into the community involves a combined effort from the inmate, his family, community support, TDOC staff, Board of Probation and Parole (BOPP) staff, and community service agencies.  Prior to release, needs and services are identified to aid in the transition period.  Pre-release coordinators, counselors, and institutional parole and probation officers are available to assist with pre-release and transition services.

The Division of Rehabilitative Services is responsible for establishing programs at each institution to ease inmate adjustment from institutional to "free world" life, and ultimately reduce the likelihood that the offender will re-offend.  Pre-release programming is offered at each TDOC facility as well as the three private facilities.  Each facility has a designated pre-release coordinator who has the responsibility of developing a 3 month pre-release program for eligible offenders.  Once assigned to the program, offenders are not allowed to work in other areas.  Completing pre-release becomes their job. Any inmate who is within nine months of release consideration is eligible for pre-release services.  Due to limited space availability, first priority is given to inmates granted parole with a mandate to complete the program followed by those expiring their sentence or with a release date set by BOPP.

The pre-release programs (a minimum of 50 days with 240 hours of classroom work and 30 to 60 hours of homework assignments and/or community service work) have all incorporated a cognitive behavior program based on the National Institute of Correction's "Thinking for a Change" curriculum.  The other components of the program include:

Life-skills, self esteem and self evaluation
Decision-making and critical thinking
Access to health care
Anger management and coping skills
Parenting, family, and community reunification
Substance abuse and use
Job seeking and retention
Housing plans and options
Budgeting
Legal issues
Awareness of the impact of crime and its impact on victims
Restoration of citizenship and voting rights

Pre-release coordinators assist parolees with finding employment and housing as required by BOPP.