GEO Reentry Services is hosting a series of open houses throughout April and May for six of the eight parolee reentry centers opened in February. The centers were opened as part of a statewide initiative to reduce recidivism, lower incarceration costs and enhance public safety. They were opened in Allentown, Ebensburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Wilkes-Barre and York.
The open houses are scheduled for:
- York County—April 1
- Dauphin County—April 2
- Lancaster County—April 3
- Lehigh County—April 10
- Philadelphia County—April 11
- Allegheny County—April 30
The centers offer day reporting, cognitive behavioral therapy and employment-readiness training services, while the center in Wilkes-Barre also offers licensed alcohol abuse-related services.
Participants report to the centers for an average of 180 days, plus aftercare, and are closely monitored 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 include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy classes
- Employment readiness and career development / Offender workforce development
- Community Connections, including links to community service providers
- Adult Basic Education and GED prep resources and referrals
- Life skills classes
- Drug and Alcohol programming
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.