December's Blog: A Tribute to Ron Goodman

Transforming lives behind bars

Our Ministry believes in the power of God’s grace and second chances. Through spiritual, mental, and educational programming, we provide hope to thousands of incarcerated men and women across Tennessee, giving them the tools for true transformation.

Trading recidivism for restoration

Over 95% of people incarcerated are released. Rebuilding a life after prison is an overwhelming task. We provide returning citizens with the support they need to succeed. This changes their lives, saves millions of tax dollars, and revives broken communities.

Ending generational incarceration

The children of the incarcerated are very likely to live in poverty and are more vulnerable to being arrested themselves. Our services help care for the children of those behind bars. This repairs broken families and works to end the cycle of generational incarceration.

Why help the incarcerated?

Mass incarceration is all of our problem. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee expresses appreciation for TPOM and explains the need for ministries focused on reentry.

Why help
the incarcerated?

Mass incarceration affects us all. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee expresses appreciation for TPOM and describes the need for programs that assist with reentry. 

$ 0 B
spent on jails and prisons in 2015

Our criminal justice system is broken.

The U.S. criminal justice system spends an unprecedented amount of tax dollars to fund a system that is inhumane and ineffective. Instead of making our communities safer and protecting the vulnerable, it disproportionally punishes people living in poverty, people who struggle with mental health issues, and people who suffer from addiction. By seeking to punish rather than rehabilitate, our system destroys families and perpetuates the cycle of recidivism. Cruel, excessive punishment is not the answer. 

0 M
people behind bars in the U.S.

The U.S. incarceration rate is alarming.

The United States incarceration rate is 698 per 100,000 people, the highest in the world by far. It is 4x greater than the country with the 2nd highest incarceration rate. Despite having only 5% of the world’s population, the U.S. has 25% of the world’s prison population. The scale of America’s criminal justice system is alarming, especially when considering how ineffective it is at rehabilitation. We have asked the police to solve problems like addiction, mental health, and poverty. This is unfair to the police, to the people suffering, and to our communities as a whole. 

0 +
people are locked up in TN

Tennessee's incarceration rate is even worse than the national average.

Tennessee’s per capita incarceration rate is over 20% higher than the already unprecedented U.S. incarceration rate. Tennessee’s felon prison population has grown almost 70% in the past 30 years. This is even more disturbing when taking into account that during this same period, the state’s incarceration rate for drug related offenses grew 26%. Instead of helping people struggling with addiction and mental health issues, we are punishing them for their disease without providing the treatment they need to recover from their illness. This is senseless. It harms the offender and the community.

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felons in TN, a label that lasts for life

Punished for life.

The word “felon” brings up images of many negative stereotypes. For many, the term represents the absolute worst in society.  Many believe all felons are dangerous criminals who need to be locked away for life so our communities can be safe. Sadly, the social stigma behind the moniker hides an important truth: 50% of felony related convictions in 2016 were non violent. There are over 19 million people in the U.S. who have been convicted of a felony, 17 million of which are free. These disadvantaged Americans live as modern day lepers, unable to find housing, employment, education, or treatment that they desperately need.

No one is beyond God's Grace

While pushing for reform, TPOM exists to bridge the gap between what our current criminal justice system provides and the support incarcerated citizens require to rebuild their lives. By giving people in and outside of prison the tools they need to succeed, we transform lives, families, and communities. 

TPOM recidivism rate
9%
Tennessee recidivism rate
46%

Our criminal justice system is broken.

The U.S. criminal justice system spends an unprecedented amount of tax dollars to fund a system that is inhumane and ineffective. Instead of making our communities safer and protecting the vulnerable, it disproportionally punishes people living in poverty, people who struggle with mental health issues, and people who suffer from addiction. By seeking to punish rather than rehabilitate, our system destroys families and perpetuates the cycle of recidivism. Cruel, excessive punishment is not the answer. 

$ 0 B
spent on jails & prisons in 2019
0 M
people behind bars in the U.S.

The U.S. incarceration rate is out of control.

The United States incarceration rate is 698 per 100,000 people, the highest in the world by far. It is 4x greater than the country with the 2nd highest incarceration rate. Despite having only 5% of the world’s population, the U.S. has 25% of the world’s prison population. The scale of America’s criminal justice system is alarming, especially when considering how ineffective it is at rehabilitation. We have asked the police to solve problems like addiction, mental health, and poverty. This is unfair to the police, to the people suffering, and to our communities as a whole. 

Tennessee's incarceration rate is far worse.

Tennessee’s per capita incarceration rate is over 20% higher than the already unprecedented U.S. incarceration rate. Tennessee’s felon prison population has grown almost 70% in the past 30 years. This is even more disturbing when taking into account that during this same period, the state’s incarceration rate for drug related offenses grew 26%. Instead of helping people struggling with addiction and mental health issues, we are punishing them for their disease without providing the treatment they need to recover from their illness. This is senseless. It harms the offender and the community.

0 +
people are locked up in TN
0 +
felons in TN, a label that lasts for life

Punished for life.

The word “felon” brings up images of many negative stereotypes. For many, the term represents the absolute worst in society.  Many believe all felons are dangerous criminals who need to be locked away for life so our communities can be safe. Sadly, the social stigma behind the moniker hides an important truth: 50% of felony related convictions in 2016 were non violent. There are over 19 million people in the U.S. who have been convicted of a felony, 17 million of which are free. These disadvantaged Americans live as modern day lepers, unable to find housing, employment, education, or treatment that they desperately need.

No one is beyond God's Grace

While pushing for reform, TPOM exists to bridge the gap between what our current criminal justice system provides and the support incarcerated citizens require to rebuild their lives. By giving people in and outside of prison the tools they need to succeed, we transform lives, families, and communities. 

TPOM Recidivism Rate
9%
Tennessee Recidivism Rate
46%

Meet our graduates

Over the course of 60 years, our ministry has reunited broken families, repaired damaged communities, and restored the faith of 1000’s of men and women across the Tennessee criminal justice system. Graduates of our residential reentry center and in-prison programs have gone on to build rich, successful lives. These men and women represent the power of God’s grace and the importance of second chances.

TPOM welcomed me with open arms when I got out of prison. They did everything they could to help me succeed... I know this place works because every Sunday you can see more and more people who have graduated continue to come and give back.

TPOM welcomed me with open arms when I got out of prison. They did everything they could to help me succeed... I know this place works because every Sunday you can see more and more people who have graduated continue to come and give back.

Resident Testimonials

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