News - 2008
Female Offenders Graduate In-Prison Treatment Program
West Caldwell, NJ, Mar 5, 2008 - A graduation ceremony was held on February 28, for female offenders at a CEC in-prison treatment program at the Hernando Correctional Institution in Brooksville, Florida. Thirty three female offenders celebrated their completion of a reentry program designed to foster each offender's successful reentry back into the community.
"I am extremely proud of the women who graduated today. Their completion of this reentry treatment program marks an important milestone on their journey to leading productive and law-abiding lives. Gender specific treatment programs are a part of CEC's effort to fight recidivism and promote offender reentry in the state of Florida." said Michael Walker, State Director in Florida at Community Education Centers, Inc. "National statistics confirm that 97 percent of offenders in prison will return to the community. Our mission is to provide offenders with comprehensive reentry treatment services that help them develop life skills they will need when they return to the community."
The 50-bed program is operated by CEC and includes a 12 step program associated with AA and NA, and a comprehensive life skills education course focused on the unique needs of female offenders including addictions, criminal thinking errors, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, rape, abandonment, prostitution, and violent crimes.
"Our Department's missions to ensure public safety and assist an offender's reentry into the community are both well served by this program. Studies show that offenders who have completed substance abuse programs are less likely to reoffend and return to prison, which is a win-win situation for offenders and taxpayers. Further, this program provides substance abuse treatment which also includes a focus on transitional skills needed for re-entry that are geared toward the unique needs of female offenders," said Pam Denmark, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Programs at the Florida Department of Corrections.
Upon graduation from the program, the female offenders will be reassigned to institutional work and are required to continue their treatment by attending AA/NA meetings and Program Alumni Groups until transferred to a Work Release Program or released back into society.
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