What started as an innovative concept ten years ago has expanded rapidly to GEO facilities in the U.S. and internationally.
The GEO Continuum of Care® (CoC) is enhanced in-custody rehabilitation programming, including cognitive behavioral treatment, integrated with post-release support services. This evidence-based treatment model begins with individualized risk assessments, and offers programs designed to address the specific needs of each participant.
Key program components include:
A Program Roadmap for Change
Each participant is provided a program roadmap unique to their needs. Individuals receive multiple assessments and/or reviews. Individualized program plans are based on identified risk and needs as well as short- and long-term goals.
ENHANCED ASSESSMENT
GEO CoC facilities utilize scientific, validated assessment tools that assist in identifying the reoffending risk and program needs of each participant.? Working with an Assessment Case Manager, each participant completes a risk and needs assessment to identify their specific needs in the areas of counseling, education, vocation, substance abuse, criminal thinking, and risk of recidivism. The assessment findings are used to develop individualized treatment plans.
ENHANCED COUNSELING
Based on a tailored treatment plan, participants receive counseling through Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT). Treatment facilitators work with small groups to deliver programs such as Moral Reconation Therapy® (MRT), Thinking for a Change (T4C), and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Substance Abuse (CBI-SA). We believe all facility staff can influence positive change. As a result, facility staff are provided Core Correctional Practices (CCP) training, which teaches staff the core skills needed to create a positive facility culture focused on successful rehabilitation.
ENHANCED INTERVENTION
Specially trained Transition Case Managers (TCMs) provide bi-weekly Individual Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (ICBT) sessions for individuals within 12 months of release. These sessions focus on the individual’s specific criminogenic needs as identified in the assessment process. The curriculum model uses behavioral practice to increase skill building through real world scenarios and practice. Participation in ICBT is voluntary to ensure participants are actively engaged in their own release planning process and are empowered to succeed.
ENHANCED TRANSITION AND AFTERCARE
The GEO CoC model connects pre-release transition planning with enhanced aftercare services through Post-Release Case Managers (PRCMs). Participants who volunteer are assigned a Post-Release Case Manager 90 days prior to their release. The PRCM works with the participant and the Transition Case Manager at the facility to develop a release plan that provides an effective transition back to society. Once a release plan is developed, the Post-Release Case Manager identifies and engages community-based service providers to assist the participant in meeting basic reintegration needs. In addition to routine follow-ups by Post-Release Case Managers, post-release support services are available to participants for up to one year through GEO’s Post-Release Call Center, which was established in 2016 and is available 24/7.
ENHANCED TRAINING
The CoC Training Institute has conducted evidence-based trainings both for current staff and new staff, including the implementation of new programs, all with the goal of being the world leader in rehabilitation and providing a shift in the culture at all facilities.
The CoC Training Institute is responsible for Transition Case Manager implementation training at all of the designated Continuum of Care facilities. Transition and Assessment Case Managers are trained in evidence-based practices including: Core Correctional Practices, Motivational Interviewing, Behavior Change Plans, Individual Cognitive Behavioral Treatment, as well as any need curriculum training such as Thinking for a Change and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Substance Abuse.
The training institute also handles training staff as they are onboarded at our Day Reporting Centers, and residential reentry facilities, as well as providing annual in-service training.
HILIGHTS and Milestones
2013 Continuum of Care Pilot sites identified
2014 Continuum of Care Division finds home in Boca Raton HQ
2015 GEO Learning Model Implemented in all GEO Sites
2015 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Accreditation
2016 Post Release Services with 24-hour call center established
2016 First Continuum of Care Conference with Call to Action by Dr. Zoley
2017 Alumni Services Implemented
2018 American Correctional Association Innovation in Corrections Award recipient
2018 Correctional Education Association Accreditation
2019 Second Continuum of Care Conference Inspires Change
2020 Behavioral Health Accreditation - Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
2020 GEO Academy virtual library established
2021 Accredited Training Unit through National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors
2021 Endorsed by Florida Certification board as a preferred provider
2021 National Alumni Picnic
2022 GEO Continuum of Care featured at TED Conference in New York City
2022 Pre-release Second Chance Center Model Developed
2022 GEO Reentry In-Prison Treatment moves to Continuum of Care
2023 Cognia Accreditation
2023 Hosted Second Chance Brunch at The GEO Group Headquarters
GEO Continuum of Care Facilities
Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation, and Reentry
Florida Department of Corrections
Georgia Department of Corrections
Indiana Department of Corrections?
New Mexico Corrections Department
Oklahoma Department of Corrections
Virginia Department of Corrections
Australia – Corrections Victoria
A DECADE OF DEDICATION (2013-2023)
Our commitment to be the world’s leader in the delivery of enhanced rehabilitation and post release services is underpinned by our steadfast belief that we are at our best, when we help those in our care, reenter society as productive and employable citizens. Our milestones over the last decade include:
Behavioral Program Completions - 259,630
Total Substance Abuse Treatment Completions - 67,381
Total Vocational Completions - 68,346
Total High School Equivalencies Issued - 19,215
Total Post-Release Participants - 13,629
Referrals - 70,367 Calls - 312,016
CONTINUUM OF CARE FACILITY OF THE YEAR
The city of Hobbs New Mexico’s website boasts “Residents living in Hobbs, NM enjoy 266 days of sunshine.” The city’s climate is not the only bright light to shine in Hobbs. Lea County Correctional Facility shines a light on reducing recidivism every day, and that is why the Lea County Correctional Facility is the 2023 Continuum of Care Facility of the year.
Since 1993, the Lea County Correctional Facility (LCCF) has provided correctional services on behalf of the New Mexico Corrections Department. The facility is located on land that was originally a World War II B-17 Training Base.
The facility was certified as a Continuum of Care Facility in 2019 and continues to change lives. When you walk into the facility, you instantly feel welcomed. The LCCF team feel more like family as they work together to conquer every task and do so with great enthusiasm. Each day, this team of GEO Heroes displays unwavering loyalty to go above and beyond. The mutual commitment extends throughout the facility. Everyone thinks and acts collectively. Together the facility is confident in their responsibilities and tackles demanding situations.
The Lea County Correctional Facility provides a safe and secure environment for rehabilitation. The Facility has an extensive menu of course and group offerings geared towards changing criminogenic thinking. This innovative approach is designed to help ease successful transition back into local communities and reduce recidivism. The programs are designed to transform students into lifelong learners. The Facility is also equipped with technology driven learning labs. Blended learning allows participants to be actively involved in the development process.
The Facility is committed to reducing recidivism through their nationally recognized Career and Technical Education program. Participants can seamlessly transition from on-the-job training to employment upon release. Courses offer stackable credentials so that upon release students can continue their education.
The commitment to changing lives doesn’t stop at the classroom. Residents are provided opportunities to be a part of the community by giving back. The Lea County Leaders are an example of giving back in action. The Lea County Leaders are a group of GEO Continuum of Care Alumni who created a softball team with more than home runs as their goal. Each player has his own personalized message of hope and shares it on and off the field. The Lea County Leaders are also certified mentors and program facilitators who team up to lift up their peers with the goal of increasing their graduation rates.
