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Community Reintegration Center cites partnerships and staffing gains, seeks national accreditation
Summary
The Community Reintegration Center reported progress on reentry programs, staff wellness and reduced vacancies and said it will seek national accreditation and expand housing wraparound partnerships.
Superintendent Chantelle Jewell presented the Community Reintegration Center’s 2024 annual report, focusing on three strategic areas: programs and partnerships, employee development and institutional identity.
Jewell said the CRC partnered with community organizations to expand reentry programming and singled out two initiatives that received national attention: a Milwaukee Bucks partnership providing job training and placement, and an electrician pre‑apprenticeship developed with federal, county and community partners. She said the CRC added a benefits navigator to help residents secure healthcare prior to release and noted the CRC had established electronic monitoring and post‑release contracts in 2024.
On staffing, Jewell said the CRC opened a wellness program and other retention efforts; the 2024 vacancy rate was 19% but had fallen to 12% (about 21 correctional officer vacancies) by the meeting date. Jewell attributed past high vacancy rates to industry‑wide hiring challenges and said new hiring and background processes had reduced the vacancy rate.
Program participation goals — the CRC set targets that 70% of sentenced residents participate in programming and 70% leave with a reentry plan — were not met; the CRC reported achieving 53% for both measures and cited limited staff and overtime demands as key constraints.
Looking ahead, Jewell said the CRC will seek accreditation from the American Correctional Association and will undergo a PREA audit. She also said the CRC plans to expand housing wraparound services with Project Return to improve housing stability for people leaving the facility.
Why it matters: The CRC supervises people in community‑based reintegration; staffing levels, program participation and accreditation plans affect outcomes for returning residents and public safety.
