Reintegration and Recovery Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

In 2007, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office implemented a multi-systemic Reintegration and Recovery Program after the jail population reached record levels. Sentenced inmates were placed in a regimented setting encompassing ward discipline, basic education, life skills, substance abuse therapy and vocational preparation. Sentenced offenders are placed in wards specific to their needs and corresponding programs offered by the program. Realizing that one major factor in addressing recidivism is substance abuse treatment, on August 20, 2009, the Sheriff’s Office opened the first Community Detoxification Facility operated by a law enforcement agency in the State of Colorado to proactively work to keep those with substance abuse issues out of the criminal justice system and local hospitals. Overall, the Reintegration and Recovery program effectively reduced the recidivism rate to 23 percent amongst the incarcerated population of El Paso County. Since the opening of this facility through January 31, 2010, 1,151 clients have been treated with 523 of those diverted from local hospitals, which enables medical services to be appropriately directed to others in need of immediate care. These early statistics indicate that these two programs are effective in dealing with two significant community issues that deplete financial and operational resources in any local government: 1) criminal recidivism and 2) substance abuse.