Richmond DRC to host an open house

GEO Reentry Services and the city of Richmond, Va., are hosting an open house Thursday at the Richmond Day Reporting Center, which opened in March.

Corrections officials and local media are invited to tour the facility, meet staff and learn about the center’s programs.

The DRC can serve up to 150 probationers and jail inmates diverted to community supervision, and is designed to change criminal thinking and reduce criminal behavior through evidence-based programming. The center complements the city’s new 1,032-bed jail, allowing the city to divert offenders to community treatment and training when possible.

Participants report to the center for an average of 180 days, plus aftercare. Any failure to comply with rules and guidelines of the program results in increased sanctions such as tighter curfews, additional classes, more frequent reporting, electronic monitoring or removal from the program.

GEO Reentry closely monitors the behavior of offenders with daily check-ins, drug and alcohol testing and case management. Participants receive the ongoing treatment needed to help break cycles of criminal behavior. Classes the participants will undergo include:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy classes
  • Employment readiness and career development
  • Community Connections, including links to community service providers
  • Adult Basic Education and GED prep resources and referrals
  • Life skills classes
  • Drug and alcohol treatment

The program targets employment or full-time school enrollment upon program completion and generates significant savings for taxpayers through lower incarceration costs.