Washington, Apr 29, 2003 - Research Shows CEC's Programs Work

ROSELAND, NJ (April 28, 2003)—Research from a recent study attests to the success of Community Education Center’s (CEC) programs. Treatment in CEC programs is extremely effective in lowering recidivism rates, according to data provided by the New Jersey Department of Corrections (DOC) and CEC and analyzed by professors at Drexel and Penn State.

Among violent offenders, recidivism rates were dramatically lower for CEC residents compared to the national average, 7% versus 21%, respectively. Overall, CEC residents recidivated at a rate one-third lower than the national average.

“The final results of the study have not been fully analyzed, but the preliminary findings are very encouraging,” said Dr. Robert Mackey, Chief Operating Officer of Community Education Centers.

CEC provided names to the DOC of all offenders who had completed treatment in a Community Education Centers Assessment Center, including Talbot Hall or Bo Robinson, in 2000. From this sample, the DOC randomly selected 177 residents who had completed treatment in a CEC assessment center and had then graduated to a work release/treatment program at either Tully House or The Harbor. All CEC residents had a current serious substance abuse problem and extensive criminal histories and were therefore considered to be the highest risk population.

The New Jersey Department of Corrections reviewed the residents’ records to determine whether a subject had been rearrested or committed a violation while on parole. The findings were analyzed by professors from Penn State and Drexel University.

Recidivism rates for this CEC sample were compared with those from a recently published Bureau of Justice national sample, which included prisoners released from 15 states in 1994, and followed for three years. The 15 states included New Jersey.

Prisoners in the national sample were not screened for substance abuse, a factor that increases the risk of recidivism. Analysis of the data revealed a statistically significant difference between the CEC group and the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The research is from offenders who resided in CEC facilities in 1999 and 2000, soon after the start of its New Jersey programs. CEC is confident that more recent studies will show an even more dramatic improvement.