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GEO Reentry celebrates 10 years of changing lives in Lycoming County

Sun-Gazette graphic by Tim Wertz

Recidivism in the criminal justice system is a very real concern with some repeat offenders entering the system multiple times. Many factors can play into this cycle with a major one being a lack of support for those looking to turn their lives around.

Due to overcrowding in 2010, the prison board and county commissioners were discussing the possibility of constructing a new prison when President Judge Nancy Butts suggested a different path.

Working with then District Attorney and current Lycoming County Judge Eric Linhardt, county commissioners and others, Butts suggested bringing in GEO Reentry Services, 1544 E. Third St., as a way to provide better support to those most at risk of re-offending.

“What we offer is cognitive behavioral intervention programming to reduce recidivism and make the community safer,” explained program manager Nicole English.

“When they come into the program, they’re here six days a week, and then gradually, as they progress, they drop down their days,” she said.

The services are provided on an outpatient basis. Individuals partaking in the program are not housed onsite.

In addition to the services for those who have reentered society, programming is also offered to those on the verge of being released, including helping them set up mental health services, their drug and alcohol counseling, as well as any additional resources they may need prior to release.

“We also do electronic monitoring as well, so that way, individuals don’t have to sit in the county jail. They can still be in the community, and continue to work,” English explained.

The crimes committed by those in the program run the gamut of all possible charges from DUI to possession to simple assaults and more.

“They kind of range all over the place, so we don’t specifically focus on one simple charge. Our program is on a one size fits all approach,” English said.

“When they come into the program, we give them a risk needs assessment, just to figure out what we can do to offer some assistance, and then we’ll place them in the groups that fit best for them,” she said.

“So if somebody’s coming in with no history of drugs or alcohol use, we’re obviously not going to put them in a drug and alcohol group,” English explained.

“If they’re here for a simple assault, we might put them in some anger management versus if they’re here for anything regarding their children, we’ll put them in parenting classes. We have a lot of individuals with trauma, so we have female trauma and male trauma to address that,” she continued.

An area GEO Reentry Services has recently branched out into is youth intervention.

Early intervention with the juvenile population is key,” English said.

“Similar to our day reporting program with adults, we’ve started working with the juvenile probation office as well. So if an individual has any needs, like trauma, life skills, just changing the way they think, they’ll come into our program, get set up with a case manager, some group programming, and then they’re free to come and go,” she explained.

“But they have that outlet here, because if you can get to them quick, and focus on changing the way they think, it may lead down the road to positive behaviors,” English said.

English has seen an undeniable benefit to having GEO Reentry in the county.

“It’s helped create a safer community because a lot of these individuals that are re-entering the community have resources now, so they’re not just kind of getting released and getting released with just the clothes on their back. They can get help with food, clothing and getting set up with a case manager,” she said.

“Even if they’re not referred, we can still offer them assistance. We have a website where you can just type in your location, and it gives you all of the resources in your area,” English stressed.

Both the prison population and recidivism are down, English said, noting that between 2020 and 2023, the program had 226 success completions with only 44 individuals receiving new charges.

“This is just a fantastic program. You have 10 years of success, all the graduates, all the behavior change, the impact it’s made in the community,” said John Hogan, GEO Reentry area manager.

It’s been a great investment by the courts and the commissioners.

“You look at all the people that have had their lives have changed for the better and the impacts it has on recidivism, which means it impacts public safety and crime in a positive way, helping people be employed and contributing,” he continued.

“This is what communities ought to be doing, investing in people and giving them better lives,” Hogan said.

“After 10 years, we know that it helps. It gives people in the system a much better chance of success afterwards because ultimately the goal is to have these people get back on the right track,” county Commissioner Mark Mussina said.

“It’s about second chances. And so many people, if they’re given the right second chance, and the right guidance, that’s all they need,” he continued.

“The commissioners have supported it throughout the years, and we have a commissioner group right now that is still fully supportive of the program going forward,” Mussina said.

“Being open 10 years, I feel like Lycoming County was ahead of the game,” English said.

“Providing treatment versus just incarceration is key. You can actually change the way they think,” she said.

“I think sometimes individuals in the criminal justice system are overlooked, or there’s a stigma, but just being able to treat them as people and making sure that we’re providing them the best services is important because they’re people too,” English stressed.

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