New program addresses re-entry, recovery for inmates

White County Sheriff Steve Page signs the paperwork that will implement a new program for inmates.

White County Sheriff’s Office has announced the beginning of a new project within the correctional division. White County re-entry and recovery will begin in July 2023 and is designed to provide trauma informed therapeutic options for qualifying individuals currently incarcerated within the White County Justice Center. This project will also introduce additional evidence-based programming and case management systems, pre-release and post-release, in an effort to establish a more beneficial approach for individuals re-entering the community after incarceration.

Licensed therapists and case management specialists will be operating within White County’s correctional facility in an effort to support the goals of the sheriff’s office in reducing recidivism in White County.

The development and utilization of a more trauma informed evidence-based approach within the correctional setting is a major component of the shifting correctional industry. Sheriff Steve Page said he is dedicated to reducing recidivism and re-offense in the community. These program offerings will assist in making White County a safer and better place to live by introducing a continuum of care approach supported by mental health professionals within the correctional setting that will follow the incarcerated individual into community-based programs after release, assisted by a case manager.

This project is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee and will be operated at no additional cost to the citizens of White County and will be overseen by project director Capt. Will Randolph who has been developing this project with director of programs Donna Daniels since October 2022. A proposed partnership with the non-profit organization, South Central TN Workforce Alliance (currently pending commission approval) will be the first for the 13th Judicial District and will bring years of experience in the successful operation and development of trauma focused programming and extensive case management in correctional environments. The trauma informed approach and SCTWA has had quantifiable success with similar projects in numerous other counties in Tennessee. Sheriff Page said he is excited to add White County to the group of counties on the forefront of correctional innovation in regard to mental health awareness and operation of a trauma informed county correctional facility.