While GEO Care and its GEO Reentry Services division has been delivering reentry services for more than a decade, the importance of these services for offenders has gained public prominence in recent years. The Department of Justice and Attorney General Loretta Lynch recently underscored this by announcing National Reentry Week April 24-30.
During this week, the Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and others will organize and promote a variety of events designed to help prepare inmates for release and raise public awareness about the importance of reentry work. These events will include job fairs, mentorship programs, and family events and activities, as well as employer roundtables, reentry court proceedings and meetings between local reentry stakeholders.
With more than 600,000 individuals returning to their communities after serving time in federal and state prisons each year, supporting successful reentry is crucial to public safety. A criminal record can be a tremendous obstacle in securing employment, housing and education, and the difficulty of overcoming these barriers can lead to a cycle of incarceration, even for those who are motivated to turn their lives around. By helping people reenter their communities and lead positive, productive lives, we can help reduce crime across the country and make our neighborhoods better places for all.
GEO Reentry Services offers evidence-based programming designed to rehabilitate offenders and successfully prepare them for life after prison or jail or as an alternative to detention. Individuals participate in the program for several months, plus Aftercare. GEO Reentry closely monitors the behavior of individuals referred to service centers with frequent check-ins, drug and alcohol testing and case management. Participants receive the ongoing treatment needed to help break cycles of criminal behavior. Classes vary but may include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Employment readiness and career development
- Community Connections, including links to community service providers
- Adult Basic Education and GED prep resources and referrals
- Life skills and parenting classes
- Drug and alcohol classes
GEO Reentry’s intensive approach helps reduce recidivism when compared to traditional offender reentry programs; targets employment or full-time school enrollment upon program completion; generates significant savings for taxpayers through lower incarceration costs; and alters offenders’ attitudes and behavior through treatment and training.
We welcome the DOJ shedding a spotlight on reentry efforts during National Reentry Week and look forward to supporting this public outreach initiative.