Definitions

The following definitions apply throughout this chapter: (1) “Applicant” means the local correctional facility that is applying for tier accreditation. (2) “Evidence-based program” means a program or programs shown by scientific research to effectively reduce recidivism rates and increase an offender's likelihood of success following release from incarceration, including programs focused on education, vocational training, mental health, substance abuse rehabilitation, or building healthy relationships. (3) For the purposes of these rules, “recidivism rate” means the number of unique offenders released from incarceration and the number of those unique offenders who subsequently return to incarceration within three years of release. For tracking purposes, offender release cohorts shall be categorized indicating whether the offender participant was a felon, misdemeanor, or pre-conviction program participant at the time of release. For the purposes of this definition, unique offender refers to a single person and measures recidivism for the three-year period following the unique offender’s release from incarceration. A unique offender is considered a VOLUNTARY ACCREDITATION STANDARDS FOR CHAPTER 1400-05 LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES recidivist upon their first reincarceration after release. Multiple reincarcerations during the three-year period following release would not create a new unique offender or create a different recidivism outcome. (4) “TCI” means the Tennessee Corrections Institute.