MONROE, La. (KNOE) - The Lousiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections is not shying away from the state's high number of incarcerations. Instead, DOC Assistant Secretary Rhett Covington says they are taking steps to decrease the number.
The department has opened a reentry program in Monroe with a company called 'GEO.' Covington says they offer all of the tools to turn former criminals into productive citizens.
"We offer education, intervention with substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment and life skills programming," Covington said. "If you've lost your home, you've lost your employment, maybe you've lost your family because you've burned the bridges there. What's going to help you get back on track?"
The program is designed to change criminal behavior. Participants can stay in the program up to ninety days. Teachers, probation officers, and counselors supervise the former inmates.
Covington says without the extra push, and support participants can quickly end up behind bars again. He says participants are held accountable with check-ins and drug and alcohol testing.
Matt Wirtner is the area manager for Geo. He says their goal is to get rid of criminal thought patterns.
Wirtner says they are hoping the community can rally around former inmates to give a helping hand too.
"Get that support in the community that's going to sustain them the rest of their lives hopefully," Wirtner said.
GEO is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is located on Medical Park Drive in Monroe.
