Offender Assistance Plan Saves State Millions

Correction officials say a collaborative

effort between the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole and the

state Correction Department to improve the chances an inmate

released on parole won't be arrested again has saved the state $33

million within its first year.

The two departments launched the effort last year with the goals

of saving taxpayers money, reducing recidivism, preserving

expensive prison beds for the most dangerous offenders and making

communities safer.

Correction Commissioner Gayle Ray and Parole Board Chairman

Charles Traughber recently sat down in an interview with The

Associated Press to discuss the progress made since the plan was

implemented.

Ray said population projections last year indicated the state

would probably need to build a new prison by 2016. However, those

projections have since decreased and they now believe a new prison

won't be needed until 2020.