Reed Johnson, The Herald News — A new program at the Rhea County Justice Center aims to reduce recidivism among inmates and also allow them to learn life skills that will allow them to secure employment once released, according to officials at the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department.

On Monday, Nov. 20, six inmates at the Rhea County Justice Center completed a 12-week welding program and received their MIG (metal inert gas) welding certification. Rhea County Sheriff’s Department Re-Entry Program Director Mona Masters said the success of the program and others like it will go a long way toward helping former inmates reintegrate into society and gain employment.

“These basic re-entry programs we offer cover job readiness, parenting, anger management, relapse prevention, and other things,” Masters said. “We have programs that cover a lot of different topics.”

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