Tennessee will open first prison housing units for military veterans

The Tennessee Department of Corrections will open military veterans-only housing units at three prisons in February, state Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Courtney Rogers said Friday.

This are Tennessee's first housing units dedicated exclusively to veterans.

"Veterans will be put together to get into a more common structure. It's veterans, they're going to get through this together," said Rogers, newly appointed by Gov. Bill Lee to lead veteran services.

Rogers announced the news at the annual budget hearing for her department. The hearings allow state leaders to present their proposed budgets to the governor. Budget hearings are one of the first steps in crafting the governor's spending proposal for the upcoming fiscal year.

The units will be located at three prisons, though the locations weren't disclosed at the hearing. Rogers said that a non-commissioned officer will likely be in charge at each unit to help veterans with "transitionary efforts."

Various schools, Rogers said, have agreed to assist veteran inmates with certifications and working toward degrees while they are in the housing units. "This will only help them on the outside," she said.

"I particularly applaud and encourage the work in workforce development and training to our veterans," Lee said. "I have a real belief that utilizing that resource of those returning veterans to train them and give them capacity ... and to reduce recidivism by allowing a better re-entry program is something I am passionate about."

Tennessee's veteran housing program follows a national trend of "barracks behind bars." Inmates can work through problems they often share, such as substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The programs are typically built around daily, targeted rehabilitative opportunities where inmates have access to various classes and PTSD counseling.

The corrections and veterans services departments did not immediately respond to request by USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee for more information.

About 7 percent of the estimated 2.3 million people incarcerated in the United States are men and women who have served in the military, according to National Institute of Corrections.

The majority of these inmates, some 77 percent, were honorably discharged. Yet, their path from the military into the justice system often began with a difficult adjustment into civilian life.

The growing number of prison units for veterans aim to prevent recidivism by reigniting a sense of military culture and values.

The state's veterans services department also works with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, which oversees 30 veteran courts in the state. These courts are designed specifically to work with veterans not only on their criminal cases, but to help address the underlying reasons they are in the criminal justice system.

Proposed 2 percent cut

As part of the hearing, Rogers, a former Republican state representative from Goodlettsville, presented plans for the possibility of a $130,200 cut, or 2 percent of the agency's budget.

It included:

Reducing travel costs for training by adopting more webinar sessions for employees.

Reducing hiring of temporary employees by sharing employees between departments in the interim while looking for a permanent employee.

Continuing the standardized practice of equipment oversight at state veteran cemeteries that will prevent last-minute replacements and expensive rentals.

Transitioning cemeteries into a crypt system — double-depth type pre-placed concrete containers with removable concrete lids. The move in the long run will require less cost, maintenance and sinking.

Rogers said that state was also working to finalize details on land procurement for a new cemetery for veterans. The new cemetery would total six for the state and will achieve a goal of having a cemetery within 75 miles for veterans' families to visit.

The agency requested a cost increase to hire an additional caretaker to assist with grounds upkeep. Veteran cemeteries are held to the national cemetery standards, to receive federal funding.

Two locations are set for a federal review in March.

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Yihyun Jeong covers veterans and military issues for USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee. Reach her at yjeong@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter @yihyun_jeong.