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News - 2012(BACK)
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Arthur Townes, Director of Alumni Association, Interviewed in NJ Spotlight Piece
West Caldwell, NJ March 23 -
Arthur Townes, Director of the CEC Alumni Association was interviewed for a recent piece on NJ Spotlight. Click here to read.
"I am very proud to be part of New Jersey's reentry system and to have seen the efforts of this State result in it being a national leader at reducing its prison population. The latest data available from the Bureau of Justice Statics (BJA) indicates that New Jersey has reduced its prison population by 24% since 1999—which is best in the nation. A recent Sentencing Project report specifically mentions the CEC-operated Regional Assessment Center (RAC) technical parole violator programs and concludes that the, 'effort to reduce imprisonment of people on parole for rule-breaking has made a significant contribution to the overall decrease in New Jersey's prison population.' Additionally, the Pew Center on the States 2011 report, State of Recidivism: The Revolving Door of America's Prisons, reports a 11% decline the rate of recidivism in New Jersey which is best in the North East and fifth best in the nation. These numbers tell the story, but I am living proof of New Jersey's many successes providing reentry treatment programs," said Arthur Townes.
CEC has established an Alumni Association at several of our facilities that provides a foundation of support and helps offenders get through the process of change upon their release. The Alumni Association assists offenders in their transition from treatment back into the community through the provision of supportive services as they face the obstacles and difficulties associated with remaining pro-social members of their families and community. The Alumni Program is comprised of former offenders who have successfully completed a CEC program. Ex-offenders that are no longer in the criminal justice system and have been successful in the community can become important role models in the lives of transitional offenders. As mentors, alumni are available to offenders, before and after release, to provide referral assistance and encourage them to set goals, find jobs, and utilize social services.
Community Education Centers, Inc. (CEC) is a leading provider of offender reentry and
in-prison treatment services in America, operating in 17 states and the Commonwealth of Bermuda, with over 30,000 individuals in its daily care. CEC provides a full range of therapeutic residential and non-residential reentry services with a documented record of reducing recidivism. |
