Prevention, Public Safety, and Re-Entry Conference, October 8th & 9th, 2008:

The Coalition is a body of organizations that contract with the New Jersey Department of Corrections, New Jersey State Parole Board, and the Juvenile Justice Commission to provide community corrections programs such as assessment centers, residential work-release programs, substance abuse treatment programs, and day reporting centers for parolees. CCCPNJ collectively represents community corrections providers, addresses community corrections issues and advocates for rehabilitative services for offenders in New Jersey.

What is the Coalition of Community Corrections Providers of New Jersey, Inc.?

The Coalition is a body of not-for-profit organizations that contract with the New Jersey Department of Corrections to provide community corrections programs such as assessment centers, residential work-release programs, substance abuse treatment programs, and day reporting centers for parolees. CCCPNJ collectively represents community corrections providers, addresses community corrections issues and advocates for rehabilitative services for offenders in New Jersey.

What does the Coalition do for offenders and the community?

CCCPNJ is committed to providing quality programs for offenders. Offenders are afforded an opportunity to prepare for a successful transition back to their communities by participating in work release programs and/or substance abuse treatment programs. This opportunity promotes positive community reintegration while saving taxpayer¹s dollars through alternatives to incarceration.

What are the benefits of belonging to the Coalition?

Coalition members can network with other community corrections providers, access resources, receive technical assistance, and learn about important legislative issues facing corrections. The Coalition disseminates information to community corrections providers, the Department of Corrections, the State Parole Board, and legislators regarding the benefits of residential community release programs, day reporting centers for parolees, and substance abuse treatment programs for offenders. Coalition members advocate within their communities for correctional programs and demonstrate the importance of addressing criminogenic needs of offenders prior to release in a community setting.

What are some accomplishments of the Coalition?

For the past twenty years, the Coalition has been advocating on behalf of community corrections programs. The Coalition has testified before legislature regarding community corrections issues and has advocated for rehabilitative services. The Coalition has participated in and helped sponsor conferences for correctional professionals. The Coalition has become a valuable informational resource to prisons and inmates by providing presentations to educate them on various topics such as work release.

What are the future goals of the Coalition of Community Corrections Providers of New Jersey, Inc.?

In 1977, legislation was passed allowing for the New Jersey Department of Corrections to contract with non-profit organizations for community corrections programs. The Coalition of Community Corrections Providers of New Jersey was formed by the agencies that pioneered residential work release programs in New Jersey over twenty years ago. Today, those providers are joined with newer providers to work towards building a professional network and improving community corrections. CCCPNJ's primary goal is to develop cost-effective alternatives to incarceration in New Jersey. The Coalition recommends an expanding array of intermediate sanctions, which can be provided through community based programs already being contracted through private vendors. It is important to realize that the collective efforts of CCCPNJ, our state legislators and government officials, and the NJDOC are critical to our success.