— Victims’ Focused —
From the Director of Victim Services The Board’s Victim Services’ Division was
instituted on September 1, 1993, by then
Parole Officer Cindy Jenkins. She was told
that she would be in that role temporarily for
3-6 months and her primary responsibility
would be to develop a victim impact
statement (VIS) form which had become a
state mandate (June 1993). The VIS became
available by January 1994; the temporary
position subsequently became a full-time
assignment and Cindy was promoted to
Parole Program Specialist.
Some of the Board’s Victim Services’
Division “Firsts” include:
Four (4) Regional Coordinators
November 1, 1994: Maryanne Brooks
(retired), Sue Tester, Susan Shettlesworth,
Ann Myers (retired);
Victims’ Statewide Seminars in 1995;
Victims’ Rights Week recognized by the
Board of Paroles 1996;
Victim Council was established with other
state agencies (1997);
Victim Services’ Manual (100 pages)
completed 2001;
Tennessee Season to Remember Annual
Event honoring homicide victims (2003);
Victim Impact Class Development with
then TDOC Victim Director Cheryl
Demott;
Video Conferencing (2005);
What to Expect at Parole Hearings
Brochure (2008);
Tree Planting Ceremonies (2008) during
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week;
Victims’ Website (2009);
Vision and Voice Newsletter (2014);
Statewide Victims’ Services Meetings
(2015);
National Recognition – National Crime
Victims’ Rights Award (2018)
Cindy Jenkins was the Director of VS for
over 17 years. The Board has only had three
(3) Directors: Cindy Jenkins (September
1993 – November 2010), she is currently a
Telecommunications Manager for TDOC;
Jennifer Brinkman (November 2010 –
January 2012), she is currently the
Director of Office of Criminal Justice
Programs; and Tina Fox (January 2012 to
date).
This 25 year history of serving the needs
of crime victims has been steadfast with the
goal and vision never wavering:
GOAL STATEMENT: THE GOAL OF BOP
VICTIM SERVICES DIVISION IS TO
EDUCATE AND SUPPORT VICTIMS ON
THE PAROLE PROCESS, FULFILL THE
LAWS THAT PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS,
AND TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATE PUBLIC
SAFETY CONCERNS.
VISION STATEMENT: THE VISION IS TO
ENSURE THE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS
OF CRIME VOICES ARE HEARD, VALUED,
AND INCLUDED IN A COLLECTIVE EFFORT
TO HOLD OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE,
PREVENT FUTURE HARM, AND ENHANCE
COMMUNITY SAFETY.
The Board’s VS Division has been and still
is Victims’ Focused for twenty-five (25)
years! Happy 25th Anniversary!
TENNESSEE BOARD OF PAROLE
September 4, 2018 Volume 5 Issue 9
The Vision and Voice
For
Victim Services
Inside this Issue:
In the Spotlight: Shelby
County VWC Director
Amy McCullough
Parole Action
Notifications
September: Suicide
Prevention Month
National Night Out 2018
BOP V. S. Monthly
Statistics August 2018
Announcements
Board of Parole’s Victim Services Division Serving Crime Victims of Tennessee since 1993
— Victims’ Focused —
Let’s Meet… Amy McCullough,
Director of the Victim/Witness Unit,
30th Judicial District, Shelby County
Page 2
The Vision and Voice Volume 5 Issue 9
Amy McCullough began working with victims in 1996 when
she was hired as an Assistant Victim/Witness Coordinator at
the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.
Throughout her career in the DA’s office, she has served
victims in General Sessions Court and Criminal Court. She
was assigned to the Violent Crime Prosecution Unit, and for
many years, she worked on the first-degree murder cases in
Shelby County.
While in those roles, she was also the Assistant Director of
the Victim Witness Unit. In 2013, District Attorney General
Amy Weirich named Amy McCullough as the Director of the
Victim/Witness Unit. In this role, she supervises the
22 Victim/Witness Coordinators in the Unit, as well as
continuing to work on some murder-first degree cases.
Last year, Amy was part of the Shelby County prosecution
team that received the President’s Award for its work on the
Holly Bobo murder trial. The annual award is given each year
by vote of Tennessee’s 31 elected District Attorneys as
members of the Tennessee District Attorneys General
Conference.
“Amy spent many months keeping track of the state’s long
list of potential witnesses, many of whom lived outside of
Tennessee,” said General Weirich. “The President’s Award
was a tribute to Amy’s work ethic, her organizational talent
and her people skills.
Those are the same
qualities that make her
so valuable in every
case.”
Amy, along with her
staff, plan the Season
of Remembrance
holiday event honoring
S h e l b y C o u n t y
homicide victims at
City Hall. In addition to
her duties in her office,
she also travels to
Nashville to serve as a
member of the District Attorney’s
Conference Victim/Witness Steering
Committee.
Amy McCullough graduated from
the University of Memphis with a
Bachelor’s degree in Criminal
Justice. She is married and is the
mom to 10-year-old twins.
Amy McCullough
Parole Action Notifications
The Board of Parole provides services to crime victims
who are navigating the parole process. Crime victims have
the right to be notified of parole hearings involving offenders
in their case(s). However, victims must register with the
Board of Parole to receive these services.
In accordance with Tennessee law, the Board of Parole
Victim Services Division will not release any identifying
information on registered victims of crime, their family
members and/or registered interested members of the
public. All information is kept confidential. Our key goal is to
assure victims' legal rights are being upheld throughout the
parole process.
The mission of the Victim Services Division is to provide
information, assistance, and support to victims of crime and
other concerned parties in order to participate fully in the
parole process. These services will be administered with
respect and compassion and help lessen the negative
experience of victimization.
If you would like to be registered for notifications of
parole hearings, decisions, and potential release on
community supervision or have any questions, you may call
us toll free at 866.795.7467 or via email:
We are victims’ focused!
— Victims’ Focused — PAGE 3
The Vision and Voice Volume 5 Issue 9
September: Suicide Prevention Month
Most suicidal people give definite warning signals of
their suicidal intentions, but others are often unaware of
the significance of these warnings or unsure what to do
about them. Talking about suicide does not cause someone to
become suicidal. Four times more men than women kill themselves, but
three times more women than men attempt suicide. Firearms are the most common method of suicide
regardless of sex and race. Suicide cuts across ethnic, economic, social and age
boundaries. Surviving family members not only suffer the loss of a
loved one to suicide, but are also themselves at higher
risk of suicide and emotional problems. THE LINKS BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE
Major depression is the psychiatric diagnosis most
commonly associated with suicide. About two-thirds people who die by suicide are clinically
depressed at the time of their deaths. Statistically, one out of every sixteen people who are
diagnosed with depression (about seven out of every
100 diagnosed males and one out of every hundred
diagnosed females) will eventually die by suicide. The risk of suicide in people with major depression is
about 20 times that of the general population. People who have had multiple episodes of depression
are at greater risk for suicide than those who have had
one episode. People who have a dependence on alcohol or drugs in
addition to being depressed are at greater risk for
suicide. People who are depressed and exhibit the following
symptoms are at particular risk for suicide:
1. Extreme hopelessness
2. A lack of interest in activities that were previously
pleasurable
3. Heightened anxiety and/or panic attacks
4. Global insomnia
5. Talk about suicide or a prior history of attempts/acts 6. Irritability and agitation
In the United States alone, someone dies by suicide once
every 12 minutes. Suicide is the second leading cause of
death for youth between the ages of 10 and 24. But because
suicide has been considered such a “taboo” subject to think
or to talk about, there are a lot of misconceptions about
which individuals may be at risk, about when, how and why
people might consider killing themselves, and about how
best to help yourself of someone else who’s contemplating
suicide. According to the 2011 Youth Risk Behavioral Survey
in Tennessee, over 1 out of 7 youth seriously considered
suicide and almost 1 out of 16 made an attempt. Almost all
young people who are contemplating suicide show clear
signs before the attempt. If educators are trained to
recognize these signs, we have a good chance to identify and
help at risk youth.
This misinformation – or the lack of information altogether
– often means that desperate people can’t get the help they
need in times of crisis. Being well-informed about depression
and suicide can help you save your own life or the life of
someone you know or love!
FACTS
Suicide is the tenth-leading cause of death (2016 data)
in Tennessee, claiming over 1,000 lives per year.
Roughly 100 of these are between the age of 10-24—
suicide is the second-leading cause of death within this
age group. Nationally, suicide rates among youth (ages 15-24) have
increased more than 200% in the last fifty years. The suicide rate is higher for the elderly (ages 85+) than
for any other age group. Suicide is preventable. Most suicidal people desperately
want to live; they are just unable to see alternatives to
their problems.
— Victims’ Focused — PAGE 4
The Vision and Voice Volume 5 Issue 9
Nat ional Night Out , the annual community-building initiative to
bring community members and law enforcement officials together to build
camaraderie, took place this year on Tuesday, August 7, 2018.
The annual event, held the first Tuesday in August each year, is
organized by the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit
membership organization dedicated to community building. In 2018, the
event’s 35th year, it was expected that 38 million people in 16,000
communities across the U.S. participated including in Tennessee.
National Night Out 2018
Photos captured from the Nashville,
Davidson County, and Memphis,
Shelby County NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
events. 38 million people in 16,000
communities across the U. S. were
predicted to have participated in the
annual national event.
— Victims’ Focused — Page 6
The Vision and Voice Volume 5 Issue 9
Announcements
SSUPPORTUPPORT YHTP YHTP WITHWITH YYOUROUR BBACKACK--TTOO--SSCHOOLCHOOL SSHOPPINGHOPPING!! Back to school season is here, and there's a way you can save on supplies and clothes while supporting You Have the Power! By joining Amazon Smile, you can arrange to have a portion of your purchase price donated to YHTP. To join Amazon Smile and select us as your non-profit of choice:
Log on to Amazon Smile at smile.amazon.com using your existing Amazon account
In the box where it says "Pick your own charitable organization",
type the words "You Have the Power... Know How to Use It" and hit the search button
Make sure to select the agency located in Nashville, as there's an
agency in St. Paul with a very similar name.
Click the disclaimer about starting at Amazon Smile to have your
purchases count towards your charitable contribution.
Start shopping!
— Victims’ Focused — Page 8
The Vision and Voice Volume 5 Issue 9
Announcements
S A V E T H E D A T E
Pearls& P instr ipes Gala
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2018 MUSIC CITY CENTER, NASHVILLE
DINNER, DRINKS, LIVE BAND, AUCTION
Benefiting
TN COALITION TO END DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
Celebrating 35 years of service Information at tncoalition.org
@TNcoalition #PearlsandPins18
— Victims’ Focused — PAGE 9
The Vision and Voice Volume 5 Issue 9
Announcements
Academy for Women of Achievement
Thursday, October 11 | 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Music City Center | Davidson Ballroom
Each year, the YWCA honors a select group of women who are
dedicated to improving our community and the lives of women,
children, and families living in it. On Thursday, October 11th, we will be honoring our 2018
class during the 27th annual AWA ceremony. Proceeds from the Academy for Women of
Achievement ceremony fund YWCA domestic violence programs and services.
2018 Connecting for Children's Justice Conference
October 14-16, 2018
Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Murfreesboro, TN
The 2018 Connecting for Children's Justice Conference is Tennessee's largest event focused on child
maltreatment. We are excited about the diversity of speakers and topics offered this year. For more
information about the conference- please visit our website at http://www.tnccjconference.org.
Please complete the registration form in its entirety. You will receive a confirmation email when you
successfully register. Attendees may pay by check or credit card. To pay by check click on "show other
payment options" below the "order now" button.
***If paying by check, TNCAC will not recognize your registration until we receive payment. We will send
an additional email to the attendee when the payment is processed.
Mail checks made out to TNCAC with your registration email confirmation to:
TNCAC ATTN CCJ
4711 Trousdale Dr., Ste 124
Nashville, TN 37220
Include the names of attendees on the memo line.
If you have any questions, email LaShonda Randolph at [email protected].
We look forward to hosting you at the conference!
— Victims’ Focused —
The Vision and Voice Volume 5 Issue 9
BOP Victim Services’ Goal: To be recognized as a leader in providing
victim services of educating and supporting victims on the parole
process, fulfilling the laws that govern/protect their rights and
addressing any immediate public safety concerns —
“Victims Focused.”
Announcements
NEXT V ICT IM C OORDINATORS ’ T ELECONFERENCE :
TUESDAY , NOVEMBER 13, 2018
1 :00 P .M . CST/2:00 P .M . EST
Happy Birthday! September 2018
RYAN L INDSAY 15
KEVIN KARAS 25
PARIS W ILSON 27
Tennessee Domestic Violence Hotline - 800-356-6767
National Domestic Violence Hotline - 800.799.SAFE
Battered Women’s Justice Project - 800.903.0111
Mothers Against Drunk Driving - 877.MADD.HELP
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children - 800.843.5678
Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline—1-855-558-6484
National Human Trafficking Hotline - 888.373.7888
Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund - 615.741.2734
T ENNESSEE B OARD OF PAROLE
VICTIM SERVICES DIVISION
404 JAMES ROBERTSON PKWY, SUITE 1300
NASHVILLE, TN 37243
Phone: 615-532-8112
Toll Free: 866-795-7467
Fax: 615-253-5677
Email: [email protected]
TINA L. FOX, STATE D IRECTOR
CAROLYN PROWELL SCOTT, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY II
The Tennessee Board of Parole’s Victim Services Division is celebrating its 25th Silver
Anniversary! Please be our special guest at a Reception as we reflect on the theme:
From Darkness to Light: Serving and Honoring Victims of CrimeFrom Darkness to Light: Serving and Honoring Victims of CrimeFrom Darkness to Light: Serving and Honoring Victims of Crime.
This event is being held on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at 1:30 p. m. at the Board of
Parole’s Nashville Central Office (404 James Robertson Parkway – Suite 1300).
Please R.S.V.P. to Tina Fox at 615‐532‐8116 or at [email protected] no later
than Wednesday, September 19, 2018, to let us know if you can attend.
We hope you will be able to join us for this celebration!We hope you will be able to join us for this celebration!We hope you will be able to join us for this celebration!