Tennessee Department
of Correction –
Rehabilitative Services
“A Smarter Approach to
Incarceration and Rehabilitation”
Overview
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Introduction
My Job and TDOC Programming Overview
Where We’re At
Our Philosophy Behind Programming
Financial Impact on the State
Where We’re Going
Where You Fit In
Why You Should Choose TDOC
Introduction
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Ryan McMahon – Acting Director of
Substance Abuse Treatment Services
Lived in Tennessee since 3rd Grade.
Attended Tulane University- Business
Management/Sociology.
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Attended UTK during Hurricane Katrina.
Rough Job Market upon graduation.
My Job and TDOC
Programming Overview
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Oversee random drug testing and
management of 36 rehabilitative programs.
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Behavioral/Substance Abuse Therapeutic
Communities
Group Therapy
Transitional Programs
Parole Technical Violators Diversion Program
Currently serve approximately 2,700
participants per year.
Where We’re At
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TDOC houses 20,000 inmates @ $67/day or
approximately $20,000/year.
3rd highest State budget at over $600 million.
Changing mentality towards Correction
Recidivism (State v. Substance Abuse)
Costs of Growth (Bledsoe)
Better diagnosis of who needs services
Our Philosophy Behind
Programming
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Evidence Based, Cognitive Behavioral
Programming
Therapeutic Community Model
Solid Aftercare Component
Community Resources
Can reduce recidivism by as much as 40%.
Financial Impact On The State
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2700 (inmates/year) x .25 (recidivism
reduction) = 675 who would have returned to
prison who now will not.
615 x $20,000/yr cost = $13.5 million/year or
$40.5 million/3 years
Other costs: Court, Hospital, Police, Public
Defenders, Paying Taxes, etc.
Where We’re Going
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Push in culture change. Still short on
providing services for all who need them.
Level of Service/Case Management Inventory
Of 8 Criminogenic Areas, 4 Highest:
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Family/Marital
Leisure/Recreation
Companions
Procriminal Attitude/Orientation (including Anger)
Where You Fit In
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GRTH, TC, and Pro-Social programs at
 Mark Luttrell Correctional Complex -MLCC (Women, Memphis)
 West Tennessee State Penitentiary - WTSP (Men, Henning)
 Northwest Correctional Complex - NWCX (Men, Tiptonville)
Currently being taught by counselors.
Provide 1 ½ hours programming facilitation, twice per week for 4
months.
 Can adjust due to driving to WTSP
Time devoted to driving, prep and research will be included.
Training and Support System
Why You Should Choose
TDOC
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State Pride
Reality of prisons/naïve view of the general
public (97% will be released one day).
Unique opportunity for different perspective.
Help others and help the bottom line.
Future Opportunities
Conclusion
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Wrap Up
Questions?