News - 2006
New Colorado Study Finds Lower Rates of Recidivism for Community Corrections Offenders
Roseland, NJ, Jun 15, 2006 - A new study released by the Colorado Department of Public Safety found that recidivism rates for offenders participating in 30 state-wide community corrections programs were lower than previous studies.
"This study confirms similar research on CEC programs conducted by Drexel University which shows that CEC reentry treatment programs are effective and the results are safer communities, lower crime rates and less costs for taxpayers," said John Clancy, President and CEO of CEC.
Community Education Centers maintains a strong presence in the state of Colorado. CEC provides residential and non-residential treatment services and work release and day reporting services to diverse populations at five locations throughout the state. Most recently, Community Education Centers opened the 750-bed Cheyenne Mountain Re-Entry Center, Colorado's largest reentry center, to provide treatment and correctional services to pre-release offenders and parole violators.
The study, "Community Corrections in Colorado: A Study of Program Outcomes and Recdivism, FY00-FY04," investigated outcomes of 21,796 offenders "who terminated from the community corrections system in Colorado." According to the study, the rates of recidivism at 24-months post program termination for CEC's Colorado community corrections programs - Tooley Hall 18.5%, Williams Street Center 21.6%, Correctional Alternative Placement Services 23.7%, and Community Alternatives of El Paso County 31.9% - were all significantly lower than the national average of 67.5%.
This study further supports findings from an August of 2004 outcome research study conducted by Drexel University with the cooperation of the New Jersey Department of Corrections which found that CEC's New Jersey continuum of care programs reduced recidivism rates by approximately 30 percent compared with a national sample.
The Colorado study additionally recommended an increase in the use of community corrections programs and an expansion of therapeutic communities. The State of Colorado also benefited as offenders paid more than $2.6 million in state taxes.
CEC's Colorado Community Corrections Profile
Community Alternatives of El Paso County
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Community Alternatives of El Paso County provides community based alternative for 200 male and female offenders. The program provides residential and transitional community corrections services to participants who are near release or who are eligible for parole. The program is designed to facilitate each offender's transition from incarceration to independent, productive, community living.
Correctional Alternative Placement Services
Craig, Colorado
Correctional Alternative Placement Services was established in November of 1982 and is comprised of four buildings located in Craig, Colorado. It has provided 45-bed residential services, day reporting and work-release services to male and female participants since 1982. Case management provides for problem assessment, substance abuse treatment, relapse prevention, employment assistance and life-skills training, and work release.
Tooley Hall
Denver, Colorado
Residents of Tooley Hall participate in a highly structured and supervised work release program designed to transition each resident back into the community. CEC staff monitor a resident's employment through job-site visits, random telephone checks, and time-sheet audits to determine a resident's accountability in the community.
Williams Street Center
Denver, Colorado
Williams Street Center consists of 84 residential, male beds and provides a DART (Drug and Alcohol Recovery Treatment) Program as well as Electronic Paging and Day Reporting Services for both male and female participants The Center's focus is to transition individuals back into their home communities.
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