Six Felons Graduate Sullivan County Recovery Court

Participants complete over a year of treatment and sober living programs to turn their lives around.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Six individuals have graduated from Sullivan County's Felony Recovery Court program in Tennessee after completing more than a year of intensive treatment and sober living initiatives. The program aims to provide convicted felons with the tools and support they need to live productive lives and break the cycle of addiction and crime.

Why it matters

Felony recovery courts are an alternative to traditional incarceration, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration rather than just punishment. This approach has shown promise in reducing recidivism rates and helping offenders rebuild their lives. The Sullivan County program's success stories demonstrate the positive impact these initiatives can have on individuals, families, and the broader community.

The details

The Sullivan County Felony Recovery Court is a 1.5-2 year program that requires participants to undergo specialized treatment, live in sober-living environments, and work on personal growth and accountability. One graduate, Justin Hill, said the initial transition was difficult but he ultimately committed to the program and is now reconnecting with his family, including his mother who is battling stage 4 liver disease.

  • The six individuals graduated from the program on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
  • The recovery court program typically lasts 1.5-2 years.

The players

James Goodwin

Sullivan County Criminal Court Judge who oversees the Felony Recovery Court program.

Justin Hill

One of the six graduates of the Sullivan County Felony Recovery Court program who is working to break a generational cycle of addiction.

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What they’re saying

“It's about a year and a half to two-year program. They have to go through treatment–very specialized treatment. They go into a sober-living environment. They have that period of time that they can focus on themselves and try to heal and get the tools to move forward and be productive in life.”

— James Goodwin, Sullivan County Criminal Court Judge (WJHL)

“Coming into the program was pretty bumpy at first because I still had a whole lot of control issues. I thought that I could just still do things my way, and I learned real fast, and it did not work that way. I just finally decided to comply with the program. And once I got about six months in, I realized that I'm doing it.”

— Justin Hill (WJHL)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow additional graduates out on bail.

The takeaway

Felony recovery courts provide a path for convicted offenders to break the cycle of addiction and crime, helping them regain custody of their children, secure employment, and rebuild relationships with their families. This approach demonstrates the potential for rehabilitation and reintegration to create safer, stronger communities.