The need for Transitional Housing in Tennessee and in particular Nashville is essential to its overall economic and community development. The following are statistics and projections from the Tennessee Department of Correction from its 2009-2010 Annual Report:
- – The Tennessee Department of Correction supervises more than 20,000 inmates and employs more than 5,000 people. There are 14 prisons in the state system, three of which are managed privately. Four out of the 14 state prisons are located in the Nashville area (one being the Tennessee Prison for Women).
- – The Tennessee Department of Corrections is projecting that through 2019, Tennessee’s incarcerated population is projected to increase a total of 11.7% (from 26,849 to 29,983) with a mean annual change of 1.0%. The overall growth rate of male felons for the 12-year projection period is 11.1%. The anticipated growth rate for female felons is higher, with a 189.4% increase. Over the next twelve years, it is anticipated that all release that all releases (parole, probation & community corrections, expiration of sentence, and other) will increase by approximately 14.8%, with an average annual change of about 1.5% each year.
The groups targeted for housing and outreach through this project are one of the most under served in services of appropriate housing, pertinent support for recovery and reduction in recidivism, educational and job training, job placement, and follow up resources to help create a foundation of sustainable living long-term. This target group also has the potential to greatly impact our state and local homeless population and unemployment rate among other critical areas. For these reasons and more, the Aphesis House “Forgiveness Center” campus is crucial to the short-term re-entry and long-term self sustainability of men and women released from incarceration.
Currently statistics show:
- – The total number of male prisoners has grown 82% since 1990;
- – About 1 of 5 state prisoners leave prison with no post-release supervision;
- – Most parolees fail and are re-arrested within the first six months after release; and,
- – One year after release, as many as 60% of former inmates are not employed in the legitimate labor market.
Nearly all of the 2.1 million people incarcerated in the United States (including the over 20,000 state inmates in Tennessee) will eventually be released.
- – People are released from prison or jail with complex needs:
- – 3 out of 4 have a substance abuse problem;
- – 2 out of 3 lack either a high school diploma or a GED;
- – More than 1 out of 3 inmates report some physical or mental disability; and,
- – Approximately 1 out of 5 prisoners are released without community supervision.
To date, Aphesis House has provided its services to over 780 men. 72 men received services through Aphesis House during the year 2010. All received birth certificates & Identification; 87% are working and drug free; 12% have received their GED’s and out of the 72 men served 12 were disabled.
