Bledsoe County Correctional Complex Teams Up With Community Partners for Offender Resource Fair

PIKEVILLE – Earlier today the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex (BCCX) held its annual Resource Summit.  Over 300 offenders, all within one year of release, participated in the event, networking and receiving information from over 20 community and regionally based organizations.  These organizations, which included the American Job Center, Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministries, TDOC’s Knoxville Community Resource Center (CRC), the United States Social Security Administration and the University of Tennessee’s TPOPS program, provided insight into housing, healthcare, employment, education, and other resources vital to the success of the offender’s post-incarceration.

“We want our offenders to be successful when they leave here and return to their communities,” says Susan Garrett, one of the Re-Entry counselors who helped organize the Resource Fair.  “By combining what we teach them and provide them here while incarcerated, with the knowledge of what is available and who to turn to if and when they need assistance once the y are released, we are greatly increasing their chances of succeeding.”

Reducing recidivism through evidence-based programs and continued support after an offender’s release from prison is part of the Tennessee Department of Correction’s ongoing mission to ensure and enhance public safety.  This includes the implementation of six Community Resource Centers across the state aimed at connecting offenders on community supervision with the resources necessary for their success.