Corrections_Today_September_October_2023_Vol.85_No.5

N ashville, TENN. — The Nashville-Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), has been part of an initiative since 2009 called Transition from Jail to Community (TJC). This initiative is an innovative community-based program of the National Institute of Corrections and Urban Institute Justice Policy Center. The main goal of the initiative is to address how local reentry collaboration can implement effective transition strategies. The main focus is to identify community partnerships and build relationships between these partners and those incarcerated prior to release. As part of this ongoing effort, it is critical for the DCSO to continue developing and maintaining partnerships with the Nashville community. “The vision of this effort is to make a positive difference in the lives of offenders, their families and our community, by providing professional support with one-on-one relationships ...” One of the greatest challenges of transitioning from incarceration back to the community is connecting to resources. This is a component of the corrections process that is often overlooked. Inmates are released upon completion of their incarceration requirements with little to no resources or connection to resources. Limited employment opportunities, lack of funds, and

lack of access to social services adds to the burden of this population. “We have spent years building a foundation of helping inmates be better upon release than when they first came to jail,” Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall said. “It’s not only important to provide services inside the walls, but it’s also crucial to assist the inmate make connections outside the walls so they are prepared to become produc tive as soon as they walk out our door.” DCSO’s community partner relationships are main tained in large part by hosting bi-monthly community partner meetings. With an average of 30 attendees from different community agencies, there is an opportu nity to share information and discuss the needs of the population. “Historically, we have been extremely successful with internal programming,” Director of Programs Paul Mulloy said. “Adding the community partnership com ponent has taken our reentry efforts to the next level. So much of what we do is hidden and people who aren’t familiar with the justice system have no idea what the needs are for successful release. There are businesses and non-profit organizations in every community with people willing to help, they just don’t know how. It really is an untapped resource in most cities and it’s our job to seek those partnerships.” This spring, the DCSO sponsored a community partner fair as part of the TJC project. Forty-eight community partners attended to assist current and former clients, as well as their families. These agencies represented services including reinstatement/application of driver’s license, legal assistance, employment opportunities, children ser vices, financial and housing needs, food, clothes, diapers, and infant formula. Approximately 1,000 people were impacted, making it the largest community partner fair since TJC’s 2009 inception.

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