Wilkes Pre-Release Center tapped as top facility in state of Georgia

Staff members at Wilkes Pre-release Center showing off their award for highest overall score include front, l-r) Officer Laporsha Green, Superintendent Richard Cobb, Officer Debra Jackson, Counselor Deanne Simms, (back) Counselor McArthur Jennings, Dr. Mark Melton, and Cherelle Wiggs. The Wilkes Pre-Release Center (PRC) was recently awarded the top state award by the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), during ceremonies held at the Middle Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins. The GPAI Award was presented by Robert Kiedinger to Ricky Cobb, WPRC Superintendent, who accepted on behalf of the center.

The Georgia Department of Corrections began the Georgia Programs Assessment Inventory (GPAI) project approximately seven years ago in select facilities. It is presently conducted in over 60 facilities and community sites, including state prisons, pre-release centers, transitional centers, day reporting centers, and a probation office. GPAI is done in partnership with the University of Cincinnati, one of the country's leading criminal justice teaching schools and research agencies.

GPAI focuses on maintaining and establishing programs that have been proven by research to directly affect an offender's tendencies to reoffend. An assessment process is used to determine which offenders are at the greatest risk to reoffend and, based upon this assessment, the needs of the offender are identified and addressed. The GPAI award is bestowed annually to a Georgia Department of Corrections' facility that receives the highest score on the set of criteria which comprises the assessment inventory. Wilkes PRC has previously been recognized as earning the highest GPAI score for a pre-release center, however, this is the first time that Wilkes PRC has earned the highest GPAI score for any GDC institution throughout the state.

The GPAI award is based on the "What Works" principle, which is a body of research literature, developed by many corrections professionals over several years. The goal of this research is to identify programming practices and principals that reduce recidivism and promote public safety. The "What Works" literature is also referred to as "evidence-based practice." The primary guiding principles specified by the "What Works" research are as follows:

1. Risk Principle - Identifies WHO should receive services and states that the level of services provided to an offender should match the risk level of the offender.

2. Need Principle - Identifies WHAT programming should be provided to an offender.

3. Responsivity Principle - Identifies BARRIERS to otherwise effective treatment and includes a wide range of services designed for delivery to offenders.

4. Treatment Principle - Identifies HOW or in what modality the interventions are to be delivered to be effective for reducing recidivism.

5. Program Integrity/Fidelity Principle - Program integrity or "doing the program or intervention as it was designed" is also called quality assurance or quality control.

According to Superintendent Cobb, Wilkes PRC strives to make a positive impact on the community by producing a better man to re-enter society. Programs and activities provided to the inmates at Wilkes PRC are based on effective intervention practices, particularly the "What Works" principle.

Some examples of these intervention efforts include classes such as Re-Entry, Motivation for Change, Behavioral Stabilization, Parenting/ Nurturing and MRT. Educational opportunities offered at Wilkes PRC, like the GED program, the Customer Service and Computer Technology class, and the Budgeting & Finance class, ensures inmates are better prepared to re-enter the workforce.

Family reunification and involvement, an evidence-based practice, is promoted throughout an inmate's stay at Wilkes PRC, Cobb explained. "Family Days" are held throughout the year and family visitation is offered at the center every weekend and on holidays. Graduation ceremonies and special events are attended by family members as well. A family's involvement in the Parenting/Nurturing program has proven to be effective with their loved one's progress at Wilkes PRC, which is in line with the "What Works" principle.

Cobb remarked that Wilkes PRC receiving the GPAI award was a direct reflection of the outstanding job his staff performs every day and the collaborative effort that exists between Wilkes PRC, families, and the community.

"We are bringing families back together," Cobb said. "by making a difference in the lives of men who have gotten off track, but who are now better prepared to become productive citizens."