Since 2012, THEI has coordinated degree-granting college programs inside Tennessee prisons, through partnerships with the Tennessee Department of Correction and Tennessee Colleges and Universities.
Today, THEI acts as a third-party coordinator of degree granting college programs and student support services for eight programs inside six prisons. Members of the THEI Education Programs (EP) team work "on the ground" with students and instructors to ensure high-quality educational programming by facilitating communication between stakeholders and students, providing essential materials and resources to students, addressing student needs and barriers, offering technical assistance and training for stakeholders and partners, and providing opportunities for student engagement, leadership, community-building, and skill building.
THEI partners with the Tennessee Board of Regions (TBR) and Tennessee Correctional Education Investment (CEI) to provide on-site student support and program coordination for six associate degree programs, which include:
Northwest Correctional Complex: Site 1
Dyersburg State Community College
Started August 2022
Tiptonville, TN
Turney Center Industrial Complex
Nashville State Community College
Started January 2014
Only, TN
Northwest Correctional Complex: Site 2
Dyersburg State Community College
Started January 2017
Tiptonville, TN
Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center
Nashville State Community College
THEI began providing support August 2022
Nashville, TN
West Tennessee State Penitentiary
Dyersburg State Community College
THEI began providing support August 2022
Henning, TN
Morgan County Correctional Complex
Roane State Community College
Started August 2019
Wartburg, TN
Women's Therapeutic Residential Center
Dyersburg State Community College
THEI began providing support August 2022
Henning, TN
THEI partners with Tennessee Colleges and Universities to coordinate two Bachelor's Degree programs, which include:
Northwest Correctional Complex: Site 2
Lane College
Started June 2021
Tiptonville, TN
Turney Center Industrial Complex
Belmont University
Started August 2021
Only, TN