JAMES WOOD
Staff Writer
When inmates are released from prison or jail into freedom, many leave with no possessions, career experience or support from others.
Reentry into the outside world is often daunting for those who have been incarcerated, especially for long periods of time, where there is little financial and emotional support.
For the first time in Bedford County, the Tennessee Department of Human Resources hosted an event at the Fly Arts Center on Feb. 12 to simulate that experience for people on the outside.
The Second Chance Reentry Simulation offers the public a chance to go about the same process inmates who are released experience through a list of tasks such as finding jobs, housing, and food.
Previously being hosted in Davidson County multiple times a year by the state government, the simulation is meant to invoke the same emotions that people experience day to day attempting to reenter society after long periods of incarceration.
Lieutenant Chris Cook spoke on the effect that the simulation has on people.
“I want people to understand how it feels to be an inmate who just got released,” Cook said. “To be overwhelmed by doing everyday things the people on the outside can take for granted.”
Confusion, frustration and hopelessness were among the most common emotions felt by participants while experiencing the process of reentry into society.
“As a community, we can make it easy,” Cook said, “Just imagine what is possible if we put in the effort to help those returning to society.”
At the morning event, 41 participants went through the simulation with 19 volunteers helping facilitate it. County Commissioners, City Council members, and Leadership Bedford adults and youth attended the event as well.
Program graduates assisted at the event on Feb. 12, working as employees at the various mock-businesses and government offices in the simulation. Four of them told stories of their experience being released, the impact on their lives and receiving support inside and out of jail that cleared them from the path of relapse and reoffending.
Among the others who assisted in hosting the event were Benita Caldwell of the Center for Family Development, Aaron White, Commissioner Sylvia Pinson, Lieutenant Chris Cook, and Chief Deputy Nikia Elliott.
More information will be available in the future on potential plans for hosting more Reentry Simulations in Bedford County.
Photo by James Wood. Pictured is the Simulation’s morning group.