No More Victims Walk

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Correction and You have the Power (YHTP) are jointly sponsoring a “No More Victims” walk at 8 a.m., Saturday, October 2 at the former Tennessee State Prison (the Walls).

 

The walk, the first of its kind in Tennessee, focuses attention on victims’ rights, and the importance of working with offenders to change behavior and reduce recidivism. Inmates at the 11 Department of Correction facilities and the three Corrections Corporation of America facilities across the state will also show their support through fund raising walks within their facilities and other activities including educational programs, staff car washes, facility bake sales, poster/essay contests and many more. The inmates at each facility have chosen a local charity for which the money will be raised. 

 

“We are very excited about the Victims’ Walk on October 2 and all the other walks and activities to benefit victims that are going on in prisons across the state,” said Correction Commissioner Gayle Ray. “Exposing offenders to the traumatic effects of victimization can be an important breakthrough in their rehabilitation.”

 

Andrea Conte, First Lady of Tennessee and founder of YHTP, added, “You have the Power has advocated for victims for nearly 20 years. Our “No More Victims” walk is a collaborative effort with the Department of Correction to raise awareness on the part of the offender about the impact of his/her crime, with an aim toward preventing future victimization.” 

 

Starting at the former Tennessee State Prison, walkers will proceed approximately 3 miles to the Charles Bass Annex. Inmates will join the walk from inside the fence. An inmate band will perform as the walk ends. The registration fee for the walk is $10 or $35, which will include a ticket to the upcoming concert, “Rock the Power-Unplugged,” on Thursday, October 28 at the Factory in Franklin. Registrations for the walk can be made at the organization’s website www.yhtp.org. Walkers are encouraged to organize teams and solicit sponsors for each mile they walk. Donations can be made to YHTP. All donations are tax deductible.