CCA, Alpha USA Partnership Readies Offenders for Return Home
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For years, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) has been rehabilitating inmates through programs that strengthen faith, enhance skills and build character. Now the nation’s leading operator of government-contracted correctional facilities is partnering with Alpha USA, an international, non-denominational Christian organization, to help inmates become successful citizens when they return to their communities.
“Alpha USA is one of the most valuable and visible faith-based partners around,” said Dennis Bradby, CCA vice president, Inmate Programs. “The reality is that most offenders will one day be released and return home. These efforts are intended to help them re-enter society and withstand the temptations to commit new crimes.”
The “Alpha for Prisons” project provides spiritually centered rehabilitation programs to approximately 125 inmates at three CCA facilities: Dawson State Jail in Dallas, Texas, Hernando County Jail in Brooksville, Fla., and Bridgeport Pre-Parole Transfer Center in Bridgeport, Texas.
Participants live together in a dedicated unit at the facilities. Jointly, they study lessons on daily living skills, anger management, addiction prevention, character development and family relationships. Trained Alpha USA volunteers, many of whom come from participating local churches, serve as program leaders and facilitators. These volunteers also help fund the program through donations.
“Especially important is the aftercare phase of the program,” Bradby said. “It helps ex-offenders transfer those skills from a correctional environment to a community setting.”
During this phase, Alpha volunteers assist released offenders in job placement, family reunification and accessing needed government and daily living services.
“Alpha USA is setting new standards in corrections,” said Jack Cowley, national director of the Alpha for Prisons & Re-Entry project. “Through building local collaborations of support for released offenders, our goal is to reduce recidivism rates and increase public safety.”
“From acquiring a driver’s license to getting a bus pass, a successful return to society after incarceration significantly depends on many of the day-to-day conveniences and services we often take for granted,” Bradby said.
For more than a decade, CCA has joined with leading national and international faith-based organizations, including Champions for Life, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Habitat for Humanity, Prison Fellowship Ministry, Purpose Driven Life Ministry, School of Christ International, Wheels for the World and others. The company has also developed alliances with Trinity Broadcasting Network and popular Joyce Meyer Ministries to deliver faith-based programming and services to inmates. Additionally, many local churches and other faith-focused groups volunteer to provide a range of supportive services at CCA facilities.
“There is a philosophical determination within CCA to do their part in providing opportunities for inmates, so communities can be safe when they get out,” Cowley said. “That’s a neat thing.”
About CCA
CCA is the nation’s largest owner and operator of government-contracted correctional and detention facilities, operating 65 facilities, including 40 company-owned, with approximately 86,500 beds, in 19 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to providing the residential services for inmates, our facilities offer rehabilitation and educational programs, including education, vocation, religious services, life skills and employment training and substance abuse treatment. Visit www.insidecca.com and www.ccacommunities.com.