Community Education Centers, Inc. (CEC) celebrates National Reentry Week with an array of events that promote awareness on reentry, demonstrating the company’s commitment to reduce recidivism through reentry treatment programming. CEC’s reentry treatment model focuses on increasing the chances of successful reentry into the community when released from a CEC facility. Staff and residents in CEC facilities nationwide are recognizing this important week with community service, family events, and conferences that acknowledge the relevance of reentry programming in helping offenders transition to the community.

“We are pleased to celebrate National Reentry Week through activities that encourage positive behavior and support lawful, responsible citizenship,” said Steve Tomlin, Senior Vice President of Reentry Operations. “We see the results of our treatment programming working in the lives of hundreds of our alumni that are successfully living crime and drug free. CEC programs have provided the means to change lives.”

National Reentry Week (April 24-30, 2016) was designated by the Department of Justice as part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to strengthening the criminal justice system. Focus is shifting to the provision of reentry services for the incarcerated that will equip offenders with skills for gaining employment and securing housing. National Reentry Week serves to increase awareness about reentry as a way to improve lives, reduce recidivism, and create secure communities.

CEC staff and residents regularly participate in local community service opportunities, an important element in the reentry treatment programming they provide. For National Reentry Week, staff was busy organizing events to participate in that help residents “give back” to the community and promote positive behavior. Below are highlights from CEC facilities nationwide that held celebrations for reentry events this week:

California: Long Beach Community Re-Entry Center celebrated its first program graduation ceremony, complete with special guests from the CDCR (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) and caps and gowns for 22 resident graduates.

Colorado: Tooley Hall, an all-female facility enjoyed a successful family reunification celebration.

New Jersey: Residents and staff of Trenton’s Columbus House, Albert M. “Bo” Robinson’s Assessment and Treatment Center’s mental health facility, joined CEC Alumni members to weed and cleanup for the day at a local urban garden.

Illinois: CEC was a sponsor at the TASC conference, (Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities) in Chicago to promote the importance of reentry services and drug treatment for offenders. Several staff and alumni members attended the conference.

Pennsylvania: Coleman Hall in Philadelphia and ADAPPT in Reading both had a group of staff and residents volunteer at local area cleanups. CEC staff also attended the CCAPA conference (Community Corrections Association of Pennsylvania) promoting the substantial network of CEC programs in reentry and in-prison treatment that take place in Pennsylvania.

South Carolina: Camp Aspen, a juvenile treatment center, participated in “Seeds of HOPE-Through Acts of Kindness, a Service Learning Project.” Young residents made coloring books for children in Nicaragua, showing the culture and symbols of South Carolina.

Wyoming: Casper Re-Entry Center held a celebration to acknowledge graduates from their Therapeutic Community (TC) program.

CEC has an extensive reentry program model that helps offenders prepare for a successful transition to the community. In 2015 CEC provided:

• 285,000+ hours of Substance Abuse Treatment Lectures
• 225,000+ hours of Counseling Sessions
• 195,000+ hours of Educational Training
• 175,000+ hours of Community Service
• 8,000+ hours of Vocational Training

“We are proud to deliver these important reentry treatment services to nearly 20,000 offenders on a daily basis, in the hopes of changing lives and providing a chance to those reentering the community,” added Mr. Tomlin.

CEC is a leading national provider of rehabilitative services for offenders in reentry and in-prison treatment facilities, as well as providing comprehensive management of county, state, and federal jail and detention facilities. The Company provides evidence-based programming for residential and non-residential clients and maintains a documented record of reducing recidivism. CEC services also include drug and alcohol testing by SECON, a comprehensive drug testing and screening company that provides services worldwide.