To coordinate with and assist the Tennessee Department of Corrections and the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole in developing and utilizing volunteer resources in assisting parolees, probationers, and inmates in reintegrating into society as productive, law-abiding, citizens.
There are 17 members of the TCRB, originally constituted by the speaker of the house of representatives (1) and by the speaker of the senate (1) with the remaining members (15) jointly appointed by the Commissioner of Corrections and the Chairman of the Board of Probation and Parole. Vacancies are filled by the TCRB, provided the person filling the vacancy receives the written approval of the commissioner or chair.
Members of the TCRB must have served in a volunteer capacity in corrections, in probation or parole, or in an academic environment in the field of criminal justice or other related field. With this basic condition satisfied, nominations to the TCRB advance individuals that promote the following ideal board composition:
• A balanced representation of the three grand divisions,
• A balanced representation of TDOC and BOPP volunteer perspectives,
• The skills and professional experiences needed to effectively carry out the established mission,
• Diversity - especially in race, gender, ethnicity and religion, and
• Life experiences that add clarity to the mission.
Three grand divisions
There are 15 prisons and seven district offices distributed among the three grand divisions of the state: Seven prisons and two district offices in the west grand division, five prisons and three district offices in the middle grand division, and three prisons and three district offices in the east grand division. There shall be no less than five members from each of these grand divisions on the TCRB representing the broadest cross section of these institutions and district offices. [link to division image...attached]
TDOC and BOPP representation
Among the five members of any one grand division, there shall be no less than two that represent the unique perspectives of TDOC or BOPP volunteers. TDOC volunteers donate personal time in service of the department, its employees, the individuals in its custody or their families. BOPP volunteers donate personal time in services of the board, its employees, the individuals under its supervision or their families. Employees of organizations that provide services to inmates and/or individuals on community supervision as well as academicians with specialties in relevant disciplines qualify.
Professional skills and experience
In considering the characteristics and skills that members bring to the TCRB, it is necessary that they all share passion and patience for the mission of the organization. With this basic qualification satisfied, appointments should seek to achieve a membership that represents the following professional skills and experiences: Grant writing Fundraising Event planning Marketing Communications Program evaluation NPO management Financial Legal Mental health Social Work Technology Small business CEO or Senior Executive Volunteer management Ministry Community policing
As vacancies occur, nominations will be brought to the TCRB based upon the following considerations: (a) nominations will preserve the customary five members representation from each of the three grand divisions - vacancies in any one grand divisions being filled by residents of the same grand division with consideration for maintaining representation from the various geographic areas within that grand division; (b) nominations will maintain a balance in TDOC/BOPP perspectives with no less than two members in each of the three grand divisions representing the perspectives of either TDOC or BOPP; (c) nominations will seek to address any gaps in the professional skills and experiences needed to effectively carry out the established mission; (d) nominations should promote diversity in membership - especially in race, gender, ethnicity and religion and (e) consideration will be given to former offenders and their family members as the occasion arises.
Professional Skills and Experiences
Board Member Responsibilities
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