Rutherford County Recovery Court Dedicates Building
Rutherford County – TN (08/12/2026) Visionaries Judge Don R. Ash and Ms. Mary Catherine Schneider were honored with a Recovery Court building dedication last week.
The dedication culminates a $1.5 million dollar building renovation and expansion project that will allow additional classroom and training areas.
The Recovery Court Program is comprised of the Drug Court with Judge Jimmy Turner, Mental Health Court with Judge Barry Tidwell, DUI Court with Judge Lisa Eischeid, and Veterans Treatment Court with Judge Trey McFarlin.
Rutherford County Recovery Courts and Re-Entry Director LaChelle Ricks reflected on the importance of the day.
"Today's dedication is more than the recognition of a building, it is a tribute to the vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment of Judge Don Ash and Mary Schneider, Ricks said. “More than 25 years ago, they recognized that individuals in this county struggling with Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health needed accountability paired with treatment, support, and hope. Because of their foresight in establishing Recovery Courts in Rutherford County, thousands of lives have been transformed, families have been reunited, and our community is stronger today. We would not be where we are without their courage to embrace a new approach to justice. It is a privilege to honor their legacy and continue the work they began".
This second-chance program works by producing low recidivism rates helping citizens to get out of the justice system and overcome substance abuse so they can lead productive lives.
Mayor Joe Carr emceed the event and shared his first introduction to Recovery Court in 2009 while serving as a Tennessee legislator. When he became mayor, he recalled how Director Ricks told him that 124 people were on the waiting list to join the program. He made the Recovery Court expansion part of his county vision.
“This program literally changes people’s lives,” Carr said. “There is no downside, it’s a win-win.”
Judge Ash spoke heartfelt words to a crowded room including State Senator Shane Reeves, judges, former mayors, business owners, and a host of other community members. He stressed how the work has always been about giving people a second chance.
“No one is beyond hope, no one is beyond redemption,” Ash said. “Every life has value and with God’s grace every life is worth fighting for.”
As Ms. Schneider passed away in 2016, her son Christian Knaak attended the dedication and said a few words on behalf of the family. She championed and pioneered the Recovery Court systems in the State of Tennessee. The program she helped establish has positively impacted hundreds of participants and their families. Her greatest professional accomplishments were seeing the success stories of the families restored by sobriety. She will be remembered as a pioneering force in the Rutherford County Drug Courts, a dedicated advocate for recovery, rehabilitation and a compassionate social worker.
“Drug Court wasn’t just something she did, it was part of who she was, it was her calling,” Knaak said. “She will always be my hero.”
Judge Jimmy Turner encouraged the crowd to make sure to attend a Recovery Court graduation to observe a real life comeback story. He thanked Carr for his support of the program and attendance at every graduation during his term.
“Go to a graduation, it will change your life,” Turner said.
Jack Mitchell a practicing attorney and the Recovery Courts Support Foundation President echoed the others with how the program transforms lives.
“It restores lives and recovers families,” Mitchell said.
District 16 Commissioner Phil Dodd shared his family connection with the honorees and the experience of having a family member that overcame substance abuse.
“I’ve experienced the agony of recovery and the victory of recovery,” Dodd said.
Judge Ash and Ms. Schneider believed a rehabilitative-centered judicial framework emphasizing accountability, treatment, recovery, and long-term reintegration could have a lasting effect on the lives of those struggling with addiction instead of an incarceration-based focused program. Their foresight will impact future generations.
The entire ceremony may be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzkBe-uljig.
More information about the Recovery Court may be found at https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/recovery-court.