"Justice Involved Individual"
Why are we using the term "Justice Involved Individual" (JII)? The term itself refers to anyone who has had interactions with the criminal justice system as a defendant. This means that anyone who has been labeled as a felon, a convict, a criminal, an offender, or a parolee is now known as a justice involved individual. We want to promote using a term that is "person-centric," meaning not using any terms that solely define a person by their past.
Recidivism and Reentry
In 2021 the rate for recidivism in Tennessee was roughly 46%. This means that almost half of all those released from jail or prison were estimated to return within three years. A major reason is due to the process of reentry (returning to society after incarceration) being difficult and, for many, even unfair. Governor Bill Lee’s vision to address this led to the creation of the Tennessee Office of Reentry in June of 2021 with the goal of improving reentry efforts statewide through a collaborative, strategic, and data-driven approach.
Tennessee Office of Reentry team
Tennessee Office of Reentry Director: Dr. W. Arnold
Program Manager: S. Young
Research and Data: T. White
Administrative Assistant: J. White
Email us at Reentry@tn.gov
Learn about free services for job seekers
For help with mental health or substance abuse problems, contact:
(800) 889-9789
24/7 Substance Abuse Treatment
The Tennessee REDLINE is a round-the-clock resource for substance abuse treatment referrals. Anyone can call or text the number for confidential referrals. Tennessee REDLINE serves as a referral service to addiction treatment for people and their families looking for help for substance use disorder. The text message capability gives people an opportunity to interact and obtain information at their own pace.
24 hours a day/365 days a year
Call or text (800) 889-9789
(800) 560-5767 | (615) 532-6700
Connect to a Services Advocate
When you’re having trouble getting mental health or substance use services, calling the Helpline of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) offers you and your family access to an advocate who will listen to your concerns and provide information about available resources in your area. (Closed on state holidays.)
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT
Call (800) 560-5767 | (615) 532-6700
Email oca.tdmhsas@tn.gov
(855) CRISIS-1 or (855) 274-7471
24/7 Mental Health Crisis Support
The Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line, available 24 hours a day/365 days a year, is a resource for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. All calls are routed to a trained crisis counselor in your area, who will provide you support and guidance, and work to connect you with appropriate community supports. This phone line is free. Confidential help from anywhere in Tennessee is only a phone call away.
24 hours a day/365 days a year
Call (855) CRISIS-1 or (855) 274-7471
We're on social media as ReentryTN
An agency of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Contact Us
Email Reentry@tn.gov
The Tennessee Office of Reentry exists to serve all justice involved Tennesseans equally and does not discriminate on the basis of age, ability, race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual identity or sexual orientation.