The Cordova Residential Center in Anchorage, Alaska, recently undertook some major changes after having a close look at their center to see what improvements they could make. As a result of this examination, The GEO Group decided to implement a new unit management model, add programming, increase security, and enhance aesthetics at the Cordova Residential Center.
The unit management model that Cordova Residential Center implemented provides for staff to be permanently assigned to resident floors and a security desk with case managers on each floor who are matched to resident needs on that particular floor. Each floor also has a computer station where residents can look for employment and work on online training and programs. Cordova Residential Center also added MRT (Moral Reconation Therapy), LSI-R assessments, substance abuse treatment, evidence-based programming, and intensive staff training to improve services.
Improvements in aesthetics included cleaning, painting, and adding murals painted by the residents. The facility added gates and fences, modified the exit system, and added more security with cameras. All of this promoted increased customer engagement resulting in a more welcoming center overall.
After seeing what GEO did, Commissioner Dean Williams said he wanted to have an open house at the facility so others in the community could see the improvements for themselves. The Cordova Open House was held at the center on January 12, 2017. There was a full house with a total of approximately eighty people – including representatives from the Department of Corrections, law enforcement, local media, community resource providers, and GEO staff and executives from both Alaska and GEO’s Corporate Headquarters in Florida.
Trey Watson, Senior Area Manager for Alaska said, “Having the open house really gave us an opportunity to showcase what we can do for the customer and how we can help reduce recidivism and increase public safety.” He added, “The improvements we made demonstrated a tremendous value for the customer. We went above and beyond all the compliance requirements, and as a result made the community safer - all within a very short timeframe.”
Pictured left to right: The Facility Director Stacy Cross addressed the Cordova Open House attendees. Commissioner Williams addressed the Cordova Open House attendees.
