Research Department Overview
In 1999, Community Education Centers (CEC) created a Research Department with the intent of gathering and analyzing data from its programs. Since that time, the CEC Research Department has developed into a unique unit within the larger organization. CEC recognizes that to develop and foster effective treatment programs, it is necessary to support long-term outcome research. At the moment, CEC operates one of the most highly respected and productive research programs in the correctional treatment industry.

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CEC Research
For the last six years as CEC has evolved into a leading treatment provider for the correctional industry. CEC Research has been pivotal in helping fulfill the vision of CEC President/CEO, John Clancy, to provide humane and effective programs to offenders. The days of correctional treatment programs without supporting outcome research, are numbered. Government entities rightfully demand and expect that programs prove their effectiveness through independent outcome research that is based on solid designs.

CEC Research and Academia
Initiated six years ago, CEC has recognized the intrinsic value of the university research community and the need for collaboration between academia and CEC to advance state-of-the art correctional assessment and treatment. Through ongoing dialogue with researchers in academia, CEC has gained important insights into improving its programs by independent analysis of its assessment and treatment processes. Researchers from the academic world have contributed significantly to the measured growth of CEC programs by assisting CEC in refining and strengthening its programs and research. University researchers have conducted outcome research that has provided valuable feedback to CEC about its program effectiveness in reducing recidivism. Collaborations with academia have included training and supervision of Masters and Doctoral students. The students have made significant contributions to research development because they share state-of-the-art information about correctional assessment and treatment. In turn, CEC has played an important role in providing a training ground for the interns from the affiliated universities. Interns at CEC gain valuable real life experience in correctional programming.
 
CEC is currently affiliated with the following universities:

• Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Villanova University Law School
• Penn State University
• Brigham Young University
• Seton Hall University
• Rutgers University
• Columbia University
• Fordham University
• University of Colorado-Colorado Springs
• University of Denver

Drexel University Study
The CEC Research Department is proud of its ongoing work to validate CEC's continuum-of-care re-entry model as an effective means of reducing recidivism. In 2004, CEC, in conjunction with Drexel University and New Jersey Department of Corrections, produced an outcome study that was based on a comparison between a treatment group (CEC) and comparison group (New Jersey DOC). The outcome study was published in a peer-reviewed journal as the lead article in the July/August edition of the ACA's Corrections Compendium. In an independent review of the 2004 outcome study, Tom Aldrich from the Washington State Planning and Research Department, wrote, "While one study alone does not confirm the value of any treatment, this study offers hope both for the value of offender change programs and for dealing with the challenges of non-experimental program evaluations." To view this study, please click here: Download PDF

The most recent recidivism study found even more significant results than the 2004 study. This study used a larger CEC sample (almost 1,000 residents) that had been discharged over the span of three years. This study, which has been submitted for publication, found that CEC participants' re-arrest rate was substantially lower than that of a national sample.

The study results suggest that the CEC re-entry model helps to reduce the risk of criminal recidivism in its participants. The CEC Research Department is continuing to develop outcome and process research in an effort to improve the effectiveness of its programs. Projects have been initiated to evaluate CEC women's programs and parole violators. Research has been initiated at a number of CEC programs across the country. Either the CEC Research Department or University researchers affiliated with CEC published the articles listed below. CEC's research efforts are coordinated by Dr. Robert Mackey, PhD, Chief Operating Officer of CEC.

Below is a list of professionals affiliated with Community Education Centers.
Dr. Ralph Fretz
Dr. Kirk Heilbrun
Dr. Eric Silver

For additional information regarding CEC's research endeavors, please contact Dr. Robert Mackey.