Criminal Justice Services

In partnership with judges, courts, and treatment providers, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services offers a wide array of services for people who are involved with the criminal justice system.  The people who work in criminal justice services are passionate about facilitating better outcomes for the people they serve, helping them resolve legal challenges, address underlying substance use or co-occurring disorders, and return to productive lives in their communities. 

The Criminal Justice/Behavioral Health Liaison (CJ/BH L) Project facilitates communication and coordination between the community, criminal justice, and behavioral health systems to achieve common goals of decriminalizing mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and substance use disorders.

TDMHSAS has three funds available to pay for substance abuse treatment services for criminal justice-involved individuals who have no other means to pay. Learn more about ADAT, SPOT, and CTC.

Tennessee's 82 recovery courts are judicially-supervised court dockets that reduce correctional costs, protect community safety, and improve public welfare. In recovery courts, non-violent individuals with substance use disorders participate in treatment while under close legal and clinical supervision.

Tennessee's recovery courts are staffed by judges, court professionals, and peers who have a passion for their work. In this video project, the participants share why the work is so meaningful and often personal.

A licensed DUI School is an early intervention program that provides screening, assessment, and education for individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/ or other drugs.

The Tennessee Recovery Oriented Compliance Strategy (TN-ROCS) Program TN-ROCS) Program is a court diversion strategy that provides an option for judges to address the needs of defendants who do not meet criteria for recovery court.

This quick resource page for court professionals, judges, and others collects commonly-used and valuable resources and information from the department that can be used to support the needs of justice-involved individuals who are experiencing behavioral health challenges.

Sequential Intercept Mapping is a nationally-recognized model for documenting resources, identifying gaps, and developing solutions to ensure citizens receive the proper intervention at the proper time in an interaction with the criminal justice system.

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is a model for improving interactions between police and people experiencing mental health challenges. Since starting 30+ years ago in Memphis, the model has gained worldwide success.

Recovery Court Success Stories

For More Information

If you or a loved one need a referral to substance abuse treatment services, please call or text the TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789

If you feel at any time that you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line toll-free 24 hours, 7 days a week at 1-855-274-7471.

To learn more about TDMHSAS Criminal Justice Services, please contact:

Rebekah Provost-Emmons, MSW
Director, Criminal Justice Services
Division of Substance Abuse Services
615-924-2484
Rebekah.Provost-Emmons@tn.gov