Recovery Court Saves Lives!

There is hope and recovery.

"Drug Courts are the most effective justice intervention for treating drug-addicted people. Drug Court can help reduce drug use, crime, and save money for all involved. Drug Court participants appear regularly before a specially trained judge who oversees their case." -nadcp.org

Chet's REcovery Court allows participants with non-violent convictions to participate in an intensive program, which normally last 18-24 months.

MEET OUR TEAM

Sandy Webber, Chief Operating Officer

Sandy graduated from Carson-Newman University. She has been with CHET since June 2009 when she started as a Lay Representative helping coal miners file for Black Lung benefits with the Department of Labor. Since July of 2014, she has been the Coordinator of the Recovery Court Program for the TN's 8th Judicial District. She is trained and certified in MRT (Moral Reconation Therapy). She has found that addiction touches all people on some level. It is her aspiration to help those who are addicted and caught in the criminal justice system as a result of their addiction. "If a person has the grit and tenacity to stick with it, they can beat addiction and have a life of recovery."

Rhonda Madden, Senior Case Manager

Rhonda has been working in the substance abuse recovery field since August 2013. She has been a member of NARCP (National Assoc of Recovery Court Professionals) since 2014. She became a Recovery Court Case Manager for the 8th Judicial District in May 2018. She became certified in OhioMHAS recovery supporter and supervision training in 2020.

Rhonda received her MRT Facilitator certification in 2020, and teaches Moral Reconation Therapy classes to participants of the 8th Judicial District Recovery Court.

Moral Reconation Therapy enhances one’s moral reasoning and promotes better decision-making.

Kasey Raines, Case Manager

Kasey is a certified peer recovery specialist. Kasey has a much different story to tell than the other Recovery Court Team. She has first hand experience with the program on the other side of the table. Kasey is an actual graduate of the program itself. She started her recovery journey in 2016. She graduated in 2018 and has been employed with CHET since 2020. "I was addicted to drugs as a teenager and it just got worse throughout the years. Throughout my teen age years, I lost interest in all the good things in my life and ended up losing everything that mattered most. It has taken me 6 years to gain most of those things back but not quite all just yet. I am blessed to have learned from Recovery Court how to live my life without drugs, how to be a wife and mother, a long term employee for a wonderful company makes all the difference.”

Hon. Zachary R. Walden

Judge Walden was elected in 2022 as Criminal Court Judge for the Eighth Judicial District. At the time of his swearing-in, Judge Walden was the youngest judge in the country. Judge Walden is active in the community and serves as a tnAchieves Mentor and as a musician at his church. Additionally, Judge Walden is Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division High School Mock Trial program and is President of the Knoxville Bar Association Barristers. Prior to his service on the bench, he was an attorney at Eldridge & Blakney, P.C. Judge Walden is a graduate of East Tennessee State University and the University of Alabama School of Law.

how does the program work?

  • Progress is monitored by the Judge and multiple court appearances are required

  • Participants will be required to attend treatment as deemed necessary

  • Participants will submit frequent drug screens 

  • Participants are rewarded for compliance and may be sanctioned for non-compliance

Who is Eligible?

  • 18 years of age or older

  • Felons only

  • Chemically dependent

  • Must be charged in the 8th Judicial District- Campbell, Claiborne, Scott, Union, and Fentress

  • Cannot have any violent convictions

  • Must be willing to fully participate in the program- Work, NA/AA meetings, Random Drug Screens, IOP/Therapy/Halfway House, Etc.

  • Normally Lasts 18 to 24 Months

-Participants who graduate may be relieved of court costs/fines or released from community supervision early.

-Participants who fail to complete the program will returned to the criminal justice system for disposition.

For more information Please contact:

Sandy Webber, COO

CHET Recovery Court

423-563-1004

“This project is funded under a grant contract with the state of Tennessee, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services”

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Want to apply?