Department of Corrections
Research indicates that programming in prison and community corrections is the best method to reduce the risk of recidivism and that evidence-based programs can reduce recidivism up to 25%.

Providing offenders the opportunity to overcome addictions, obtain their GED, obtain job skills, and to obtain health and mental health care are all essential parts of corrections and help to ensure community safety.

Volunteers are used throughout TDOC to provide services to inmates and their families that are not offered by the Department. Volunteers are recruited from communities throughout the state to deliver important services such as tutoring, financial planning, and counseling services within the institution.

Board of Probation and Parole
Volunteers are a significant and vital part of the probation and parole system. Each regional director appoints a staff member as a volunteer coordinator to manage and recruit volunteers and monitor the implementation of the program. The volunteer coordinator is responsible for planning, recruiting, interviewing, orienting, training, and placing volunteers in specific jobs. The coordinator serves as a liaison between the community and the facility, the staff and the volunteers, and the volunteers and the offenders.

Volunteers may perform services in any area of probation and parole where needs are identified. Some roles that volunteers perform are caseload assistant, advisory board members, clerical, etc. Volunteers gain satisfaction for their efforts through people helping people.

To learn more about BOPP field services including a list of District Offices, please visit:
http://www2.tennessee.gov/bopp/bopp_field_services.htm

District offices