Kris shares his story of coming to Men of Valor Knoxville after being released from Bledsoe Prison and choosing to stay—not because he had to, but because he knew he needed structure, accountability, and community.
In this short-form conversation, Kris talks about navigating self-doubt, facing unexpected responsibilities like child support, and how relationships—not just sobriety—became the foundation for lasting change. Today, he serves as the ReEntry Minister and Family Coordinator at Men of Valor Knoxville, helping others walk the same path he once did.
This episode is part of The Redemption Project—real stories about responsibility, faith, and rebuilding life after incarceration.
I am a retired detective and criminal justice / government educator based in Tennessee. I am a commentary write for Tennessee Lookout and a weekly columnist with Knox TN Today. My work examines public policy, public safety systems and civic responsibility. My reporting and commentary have also appeared in Governing, The Arizona Capitol Times, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Police1, among other state and regional outlets.
