News - 2008
Offenders Graduate Florida Reentry Treatment Program
West Caldwell, NJ, Jul 28, 2008 - A graduation ceremony was held today for male offenders at a 'behind the walls' reentry treatment program at the Everglades Correctional Institution in Miami, Florida. Over fifty male offenders celebrated their completion of a treatment program designed to foster each offender's successful reentry back into the community.
"Community Education Centers provides effective reentry treatment programs to reduce recidivism in the state of Florida. I am extremely proud of the men who graduated today. Their completion of this reentry treatment program marks an important milestone on their journey to leading productive and law-abiding lives," said Michael Walker, State Director for 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 90-bed program is operated by Community Education Centers, Inc., a vendor under contract with the Florida Department of Corrections to provide reentry treatment and work release services at seven state correctional institutions. The Everglades reentry treatment program includes a 12 step program associated with AA and NA, and a comprehensive life skills education course focused on the needs of male offenders including addictions, criminal thinking errors, and job readiness training.
"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 includes a focus on transitional skills and life skills training that are needed for re-entry," said Pam Denmark, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Programs at the Florida Department of Corrections.
Upon graduation from the program, the male 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.
Community Education Centers, Inc. (CEC) is a leading provider of offender reentry and in-prison treatment services in America, operating in 22 states, with over 22,000 individuals in our daily care. CEC provides a full range of therapeutic residential and non-residential reentry services with a documented record of reducing recidivism.
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