THE SOLUTION

 

The solution proposed by BEST is intensively values based  and empowering. We seek to instill prosocial values such as being respectful of one another, goal setting and working hard towards a goal, perseverance, resilience, servant leadership, valuing education and more. Once their hearts and heads are "in the right place", we focus on business and entrepreneurial skills training. This is not a simple program to implement, but it is straightforward. It does not have a high degree of uncertainty because it is modeled after the successful Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) which has been running in Texas for 11 years. Their graduates have less than 7% recidivism rate. Right now Tennessee is experiencing a 46% recidivism rate at the 3 years post release mark. If we follow their lead, we can reasonably expect to attain roughly the same results - a very low recidivism rate for our graduates.

 

We align with the missions of other organizations in Middle Tennessee that also work hard to provide supportive reentry services such as Project Return, Dismas House, Christian Home Ministries, Family Reconciliation Center, Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry, We Stay Free and more. There are many groups interested in helping returning citizens build successful lives and become contributing members of society.

 

The change analysis applied using Kamarck’s “six critical sectors” (How Change Happens - or Doesn't, 2013, p. 14)

1. The Problem

2. The Solution

3. The Inside Players

4. The Outside Players

5. The Strategy, Tactics and Scope of Conflict

6. The Elections

seems to indicate that most of the major elements that set up conditions for change are favorable to BEST being the right program at the right time. There was further work to be done between the Commissioner’s approval on April 14, 2014 and the first day of class on October 21, 2014, but many of the elements were in place. Once Commissioner Schofield gave his “green light”, the next phase of action and planning commenced. 

 

Phases

 

Since the program was inspired by the Prison Entrepreneurship Program in Texas, a Phase One (three months of character development and personal transformation) and Phase Two (three months of business and entrepreneurial skills) approach was designed. Phase Three started after graduation but before release. Communication is maintained through letters, a quarterly newsletter, homework assignments and, for those still in the Nashville area, continuing in person contact. Phase Four starts upon reentry when they can begin to use their DevDigital provided personalize e-mail address and begin to interact online. This was designed to maintain the impact of the BEST program experience and not let it slip far from their minds. See Project Implementation for more details.