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64 Morristown Magazine leading healthier lives of course. Across the country recovery courts have a 40%success rate. That was on average. We [Hamblen County] currently have a 79% retention rate, we’ve only had participants for a little over two years. So the success is rated by if there is recidivismwhen they’re back in the community or if they stay sober.” That’s where sober living homes come in. Sober living homes are places of residence to ac- commodate individuals recovering from substance abuse. These homes are often described as a buffer be- tween rehabilitation programs and mainstream so- ciety, places that allow recovering people to ease back into life without the worry of lofty housing and li- ving expenses. One of the houses in Morristown is named in me- mory and honor of Judge Joyce Ward who was an influential person in the growth of Hamblen Coun- ty’s recovery court and also served as the general ses- sions court Judge. Ward first entered her career in private practice, then went on to serve as Assistant Public Defender in the 3rd Judicial District. Recovery courts are court dockets that work to lower correctional costs with both the safety of the
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