CEC Celebrates Ten Years Of Successful Treatment Programming At The Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center

WEST CALDWELL, N.J., Oct. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Community Education Centers announced today that it is celebrating ten years of providing a distinctive in-prison treatment program at the Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center in East St. Louis.

"We are pleased to partner with the Illinois Department of Corrections and provide this unique programming that has demonstrated success in the battle against recidivism," said James E. Hyman, CEO of CEC.

Originally started in 1996, the SWICC programming expanded substantially in October 2006 with the introduction of specific methamphetamine abuse programming by a predecessor company of CEC. CEC again expanded SWICC programming in 2007 with the creation of the CAAP program which trains offenders to be certificated substance abuse counselors. The CEC SWICC programming for the ILDOC currently comprises a dedicated 200-bed unit for offenders addicted to methamphetamine, and a total of 716-beds for Therapeutic Community focused on substance abuse treatment and recovery.  

CEC programming at SWICC has demonstrated milestone results in research findings. Results from an outcome-based study performed by David Olson, Ph.D., Chairman and Associate Professor of the Criminal Justice Department at Loyola University in Chicago, indicate CEC's specialized programming for inmates addicted to methamphetamine showed a 15-22% better chance against recidivism as compared to comparison groups of inmates at other Illinois prisons.

The ten year anniversary celebration held at SWICC drew distinguished guests from the ILDOC, as well as representatives from senior management at CEC. The celebration included guest speakers, including graduates of the CEC Certified Associate Addictions Professionals (CAAP) program who shared their treatment experiences and post release work in the behavioral health field. 

CAAP programming is designed to enhance personal recovery as well as prepare offenders professionally, providing a career path upon release. A notable 242 program participants have successfully completed the program. Many have continued to gain employment after release in the social services field as Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors. Graduate recidivism rates indicate a rate of only 18% recidivism of those who have completed the course and passed the exam.

CEC is a leading national provider of rehabilitative services for offenders in reentry and in-prison treatment facilities. The Company provides evidence-based programming for residential and non-residential clients and maintains a documented record of Breaking the Cycle of Recidivism®. CEC services also include drug and alcohol testing by SECON, a comprehensive drug testing and screening company that provides services worldwide.

SOURCE Community Education Centers

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