Under a cooperative award from the U.S. Department of Justice, the National Institute of Corrections’ Community Corrections Division and the Crime and Justice Institute issued a report that distills the What Works in Corrections research into a framework of eight, interdependent, evidence-based principles. GEO Reentry Services closely aligns with these principles when delivering treatment, case management, and training at its non-residential and residential reentry centers in partnership with community corrections agencies.
Of the eight principles, two of them directly relate to providing positive reinforcement program to individuals involved in evidence-based treatment for individuals on probation and parole.
- Increase positive reinforcement by applying four positive reinforcements for every negative reinforcement for optimal behavior change results.
- Engage ongoing support in natural communities, promoting pro-social support for offenders in their communities for positive reinforcement of desired new behaviors.
Last month, two GEO Reentry-managed California reentry programs put these principles to work in hosting graduations for program participants in Napa and Tuolumne counties. These events are significant milestones for program graduates, and a public declaration of their accomplishment goes a long way to reinforcing desired behavior. And by holding these events in public forum, involving participants, families, probation officials, and others also reinforces how important these individuals’ success is to the community at large.
In Tuolumne County, GEO Reentry and the Probation Department hosted a graduation for individuals on probation who have successfully completed the Tuolumne County Day Reporting Center program at a local hotel conference center. In addition to hearing from fellow graduates and staff, the graduates heard from Mike Arndt, the Tuolumne County Deputy Chief of Probation, who thanked the graduates for their efforts and looked forward to their future success.
In Napa County, GEO Reentry and the Probation Department hosted a graduation for 16 individuals on probation who successfully completed the reentry program delivered at the Napa County Community Corrections Service Center. The graduation was held at the Napa Women’s Club in Napa. Of note, retiring Public Defender Ronald H. Abernethy was the event’s keynote speaker and he was honored for his work and ongoing support of the reentry program and its participants. The Napa County Reentry program was originally opened in 2009 and is one of the first non-residential reentry programs GEO Reentry opened in California.