Rapists, murderers and other violent offenders jailed in Tennessee could be eligible for a new program that includes treatment, counseling and education aimed at helping them rejoin a community. "Ninety-seven percent of the inmates are released into the community," said Rae Ann Coughlin, director of prerelease programs for the Tennessee Department of Correction. "If they're not released with intense programs and enhanced parole supervision, they are a threat to public safety." The Tennessee Bridges program will receive more than $1 million of a $2 million U.S. Department of Justice grant to the state. The grant is a part of the Serious and Violent Offender Re-entry Initiative, under which 49 states received some funding. [continues 284 words]
Public school students who participate in any extracurricular activities, not just athletics, could be tested for drugs if the U.S. Supreme Court upholds a ruling in rural Oklahoma. Officials at Chattanooga area private schools that have implemented testing of all students or are voting on such measures said they believe broad testing deters drug use. "Our kids have indicated in various meetings that the sense of peer pressure has dropped for them," said Perry Storey, principal at Notre Dame High School. "If people know you're going to Notre Dame, they know you'll be held accountable so you can't do that (drugs)." [continues 791 words]
