Top officials with the state’s Department of Correction are meeting with leaders of faith-based prisoner programs this week. In light of shrinking state budgets, they’re trying to keep more criminals from reoffending.

Two-thirds of Tennessee’s prisoners are back in custody within three years. So just releasing them doesn’t save the state much money in the long run.

As the former Correction Commissioner, George Little proposed releasing thousands of prisoners as a way to cut the department’s budget. He tells prison ministers some of their reintegration programs could house inmates more cheaply.

“If you’re looking for places to save some money and reallocate resources, certainly looking at that $30 a day, compared with that $40 a day spent to incarcerate somebody in jail, is a pretty good investment.”

Little is now the chief administrative officer for the city of Memphis. And his idea to release prisoners was rejected by the governor. But current Correction Department officials say such drastic measures could be reconsidered if state revenues don’t improve.

When the Correction Department proposed releasing thousands of prisoners last year, some faith-based re-entry programs saw it as an opportunity.

Frank Turner is a coordinator with Men of Valor and says he’s up to the challenge. But if the state wants fewer prisoners, Turner says businesses are going to have to start hiring them and communities can’t be afraid of embracing ex-cons.

“We’re always open for growing. But one of the main ingredients – its easier said than done – we have to deal with the fear issue and give another human being a chance.”

Turner says he was given another chance. He spent a collective 16 years in prison for charges related to his crack cocaine addiction.

The meeting in Nashville is one of eight state conferences organized this year by Prison Fellowship. The Virginia-based group is traveling the country to organize prison ministers and launch state-based initiatives called Out4Life.