In the five months since its opening, the Lycoming County Reentry Service Center has thus far proved successful in key areas of saving taxpayer dollars and reducing overcrowding in the Lycoming County Prison.
Lycoming County commissioners recognized the program’s early indicators of success, and are monitoring it closely. “When the reentry center first opened, we (commissioners) made a commitment to the public to ensure it meets expectations. The fact that it has shown signs of early success is a tribute to our staff’s dedication, the participants’ efforts, and the program itself,” Commissioner Tony Mussare said. “We will continue to evaluate the program to make sure it stays on track.”
One goal was to reach 50 participants by year’s start. “We have far exceeded our goal of 50 participants for the start of the year,” said John Stahl, adult probation supervisor, Lycoming County Reentry Services/Treatment Courts.
In January alone, the center helped the county realize *$86,397 in savings and 2,325 in jail days saved, with 87 program participants, Stahl said.
From Sept. 15, 2014 to Jan. 31, 2015, the net savings to the county and thus taxpayers was *$312,833, and 7,791 jail days were saved. Overcrowding numbers in the county prison steadily reduced from almost 32 in October to almost four in January, county prison Warden Kevin DeParlos reported at this morning’s prison board meeting. (In November, overcrowding was at almost 26, and in December, it was at almost eight.)
To further address recidivism, the county is partnering with Lycoming College to capture recidivism data to better ascertain current trends and consider results in a shorter time period, rather than the traditional three- to five-year measurement mark, in order to be proactive.
The Reentry Service Center offers evidence-based programming and provides non-violent participants a structured combination of cognitive behavioral treatment, training and case management designed to change criminal thinking and reduce recidivism. Services also include life skills, GED preparation, employment readiness, parenting development and more. (It is not an overnight facility.)
“We have the chance to make a meaningful change in the course of offenders’ lives by offering them these services,” Lycoming County President Judge Nancy L. Butts said.
Lycoming County has a strong history of taking a proactive approach to addressing the entire spectrum of the problem of crime by tackling underlying issues. In addition to the reentry center, the Lycoming County Drug and DUI Treatment Courts and Bail/Release Program help address the entire problem.
In addition to changing people’s lives and rooting out crime in the community, another reason the reentry center was needed was to avoid building an over $40 million prison for the increasing prison population. To avoid that drastic cost to taxpayers, other innovative options needed to be explored.
“If we continued to do the same thing over and over, we would get the same results,” Butts said. The reentry center is a win all around, and ultimately for the community, as the roots of crime are addressed, lives can be changed, and taxpayer dollars are saved.
*Amount is after payments were given to the reentry service provider The GEO Group Inc.
