Henderson County sees major drop in repeat offenders through reentry programs
HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Henderson County officials say reentry programs are helping more people stay out of jail and move forward after release.
According to county leaders, Henderson County now has the largest decline in repeat offenders in West Tennessee. They credit that success to programs focused on anger management, financial literacy and other skills offered before inmates are released.
“What they’ve learned here, they can take out and still be productive on the outside,” said Vickie McComic, a reentry coordinator.
Recidivism rate drops significantly
The Henderson County recidivism rate dropped from 87% to 44%. McComic said the decline came through programs within the jail and a work program with Duane Metals.
“October by 2024, our recidivism rate had dropped to 44% just by the programs within the jail and also by the work program, the reap program, that we have with Duane Metals,” McComic said.
In the past year, 489 individuals participated and completed the program.
Former frequent offender credits program with life change
Frederick Parker was a frequent visitor at the Henderson County jail before he joined the rehabilitation program. During his last incarceration, Parker decided to make a change.
“When I got into all of these different programs, it just gave me a different way to think like it’s more to life than just doing what I used to do,” Parker said.
Chief Stegall with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department said he had arrested Parker multiple times in the past.
“Me and Frederick go back a long way when I started out here, or when I was on patrol. I used to chase this young man through the woods and he’s come to jail a bunch of times because I’ve put him here,” Stegall said.
Parker said the support he received through the program was life changing. Stegall told Parker the program gave him “something that you had never had before and that was peace of mind.”
Leaders say their goal isn’t just fewer arrests, but stronger families, safer neighborhoods and second chances that last. In the future, leaders hope to reduce the recidivism rate even further.
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