• +1 423 266-1888
Linkedin-in Facebook-f Twitter
2xChances ⟶
  • Agency Update, Community Reengagement, Event, News, Volunteering

Visit Bledsoe Prison

Join Chattanooga Endeavors at the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex on March 7, 2025, for an eye-opening look at the realities of incarceration. Engage in meaningful conversations with staff and incarcerated individuals, and enjoy a shared meal that fosters open dialogue. Learn about the many rehabilitation programs within the prison system, and gain insights that challenge common assumptions about justice and reintegration. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and contribute to real change. Join us on this journey—because real change starts with understanding.

Discovering the Realities of Incarceration: Join Chattanooga Endeavors for a Prison Tour at Bledsoe

(Register by February 24!)

Most people’s understanding of prison is shaped by movies, television, and news reports. But the reality of incarceration is far different from what is commonly portrayed in the media. If you’re interested in dispelling myths about prison life and gaining a deeper, firsthand understanding of what it’s like to live and work behind bars in Tennessee, please join us for our next 2XChances Prison Tour at Bledsoe County Correctional Complex on Friday, March 7, 2025.

Guided by institutional experts, this eye-opening tour offers an inside look at the day-to-day operations of one of Tennessee’s largest prisons. We encourage you to bring a friend to share this experience with and take advantage of the opportunity to discuss your thoughts about incarceration during the ride to the institution with our “Trip Tik” audio guide that we have prepared for you. Attendees will engage in conversations with both staff and incarcerated individuals, culminating in a meal prepared by inmates participating in the prison’s culinary program—offering an opportunity to reflect on the experience and discuss insights with fellow participants and correctional professionals.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

Why Join the Bledsoe Prison Tour?

For those who have attended this tour in the past, the experience has been deeply insightful and thought-provoking. Here’s what previous participants had to say:

During my tour of Bledsoe Prison, I experienced a profound mix of emotions as I witnessed both the heaviness of many who have been caught in the cycle of generational violence and, at the same time, an inspiring spirit of community among those incarcerated and the dedicated civilians who worked alongside them. This experience left me with a renewed sense of purpose to advocate for change, deeply moved by the resilience and connections I encountered.
– Michelle Howard
Seeing the reality and glimpses of what life looks like in prison was an eye-opener for me personally. The tour was so professional, informative, and well worth it. The drive to get to the prison was scenic and beautiful. My heart was changed after the tour.
– Janet Martin
What surprised me most was learning about the extensive educational and vocational programs available to those incarcerated. The dedication of the individuals pursuing these opportunities was inspiring. However, it was also striking how deprived they were of ordinary human contact and made me realize that the community has a crucial role to play not only in reentry after their incarceration but also in rehabilitation during their incarceration.
– Daniel R.
I am grateful to have experienced the prison tour. It was an invaluable opportunity because concepts such as free will, decision-making options, and lifestyle flexibility are important components of daily life that bring me joy. However, as I walked along the tour, I noticed that I felt an overwhelming lack of joy—and I was only a visitor. I got the impression that it was not only the prisoners that lacked joy; it was the staff as well. I imagined how joyless I would feel reporting to a place of work everyday where my role contributed to assuring that individuals be held behind bars—some bars that distinctly look like and feel like expensive animal cages. Thank you for making it possible for me to go on the tour. It was quite educational and, as a lay person, I saw things that I wish I had the power to improve.
– Dollie Hamilton
True, my understanding of prison has been shaped by movies, television and media narrative. After visiting the Bledsoe County correctional facility and listening to the Pre visit audio "Trip Tik," I now have a different perspective. The inmates are not so different than I am. In many cases circumstances, choices, or just plain bad breaks may be the only difference in our lives. This realization heightened my awareness that those of us "on the outside" have an opportunity if not a responsibility to engage in some encouragement or some act of support to help inmates "re-enter" the community. I recognize that there is no "one " solution but I do believe that Chattanooga Endeavors initiates and engages in programs that move the needle in the right direction.
– Jimmy McGinness

A Journey of Reflection and Understanding

To enhance the experience, Chattanooga Endeavors provides exclusive audio content for participants to listen to on the way to and from Bledsoe Prison. These recordings explore the experience and impact of incarceration from the perspectives of people who have lived and worked behind bars.

The 'Trip Tik' audio guide provided an invaluable perspective before and after the tour. On the way there, it set the stage for what we were about to witness, offering historical context and personal testimonies from those who had been incarcerated. On the way back, it helped me process everything I had seen, challenging me to think critically about the role of distance in incarceration and how we, as a community, can bridge that gap.
– Maggie Cohen

These reflections help participants enter the experience with an open mind and leave with a newfound perspective on what incarceration truly entails.

Event Details

📅 Friday, March 7, 2025

🕘 9:00 AM EDT Security Check-In
📍 Bledsoe County Correctional Complex
📍 1045 Horsehead Rd, Pikeville, TN 37367
📍 Google Maps Link: https://bit.ly/3T3NhhI
⏳ 2:00 PM EDT – End of Tour

⚠ Travel Notice: The drive from Chattanooga to Bledsoe Prison takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Please plan accordingly to ensure timely arrival.

For more information about visiting Tennessee prisons, including guidelines and regulations, please visit the Tennessee Department of Correction’s Prison Tours Page

REGISTER TO ATTEND

How to Get Involved

This tour is part of Chattanooga Endeavors’ 2XChances campaign—our initiative to raise awareness about incarceration, reentry, and second-chance opportunities. Whether you’re an employer, policymaker, educator, or concerned community member, this experience will provide you with insights that challenge common assumptions and foster a deeper understanding of the justice system.

If you have any questions or need further details, please contact:

📩 Ardena Garth Hicks –
📞 (423) 667-4727

Join us on this journey—because real change starts with understanding. Bring a friend to share this experience with and ride together to make the most of the discussions and insights along the way.

Don’t forget—registration closes on February 24! 

#2XChances #PrisonTour #BustingMyths

REGISTER TO ATTEND

Employer Declaration Brochure

Download our 2025 Employer Declaration brochure for a printable copy of the Declaration and information about the benefits of adding your company's name to it.
Download Brochure

Want to Do Something?

Get in touch if you’d like more information about how we can help you with your second-chances hiring goals. Or click on the links below to learn about…

Employer Declaration

WOTC

Prison Tour

Letter Writing

We would be honored if you'd share this post.

Subscribe

Related Posts

our mission

We create second chances for people who have served time in prison and help them to overcome the stigma of incarceration, regain purpose in their lives, and build a better tomorrow for them and for their loved ones.

Made with  in Chattanooga

Connect wtih us

Quick Links

Join our mailing list

Sign up to learn more about how we create second chances and to find out about special events and other ways to support our mission.