News - 2006
CEC Expands Services at Bo Robinson
Roseland, NJ, Jun 26, 2006 - Community Education Centers (CEC) announces an expansion of its services to provide a residential treatment program for 65 offenders at Bo Robinson in Trenton. The additional 65 offenders will be referred as a result of a contract between Mercer County and Education and Health Center of America (EHCA).
EHCA is a Roseland, New Jersey-based not-for-profit corporation originally founded in 1978 that contracts with Community Education Centers (CEC) to provide treatment and education services for adult and juvenile correctional populations throughout the United States.
"CEC has a proven track record of successfully assisting counties in need. This partnership with Mercer County will benefit both the offenders in our care and also the taxpayers, as less offenders return to jail," said John Clancy, President and CEO of CEC.
CEC's cost-effective reentry programs are proven to reduce recidivism. In fact, an outcome research study published in 2004, demonstrated that participation in one of CEC's New Jersey programs resulted in a 30 percent reduction in the rate of recidivism at one year post-incarceration. Another recent study in Colorado, a state where CEC has a large presence, found that recidivism rates for community corrections offenders were also declining.
County Executive Brian Hughes expressed his 'strongest support' for the contract for services at Bo Robison. The County Executive reported that by the county's own calculation their daily costs for housing inmates is $112.50 per day.
"Not only will this be a cost savings to the county, but it is the right thing to do," Hughes said at the Freeholders meeting.
He added that directing 65 inmates to Bo Robinson from the county jail will "reduce facility stress" and "improve morale." The contract with EHCA is $70 per day so that the savings to the county more than covers the cost of the contract.
Mercer County offenders will be provided with a wide array of reentry services designed to prepare them for successful community reintegration. The residential treatment program will consist of the following: development of and individualized treatment plan; individual and group counseling; substance abuse treatment; life skills class; moral recognition therapy; job skills; educational programs; specialized services; family services; linkages; and transitional aftercare planning.
"We appreciate the confidence that Mercer County has shown in our company and are enthusiastic about the opportunity to provide reentry services in a manner that supports the mission of County," said Dr. Robert Mackey, Chief Operating Officer of CEC.
The services will be provided at the Albert M. "Bo" Robinson Education and Training Center. The Trenton-based facility opened in January 1997, and provides comprehensive assessments and treatment to 420 male and female offenders, including Technical Parole Violators. Residents are referred to Bo-Robinson from two sources, The New Jersey Department of Corrections and The New Jersey State Parole Board.
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