Montgomery County outlines Prerelease Center outcomes, data plan and program expansions

Montgomery County—s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation told the Public Safety Committee on Nov. 17 that its 144‑bed Prerelease Center (PRC) is operating with about 66 residents and an estimated program completion rate of roughly 80 percent, while staff pursue updated data systems and new partnerships to expand reentry supports.

"This is a briefing on the Prerelease Center, which is a 144 bed residential facility," Ms. Farag said in opening remarks summarizing the staff report. Director Ben Stevenson, who led the presentation, described the PRC as an "open campus" reentry program created in the early 1970s to emphasize case management, family engagement and work readiness rather than traditional custodial confinement.

Stevenson told the committee the PRC—s eligibility rules are statutory: residents generally must be within one year of their sentence and must volunteer to participate. "You have to be within 1 year of your sentence," he said. Judges share authority over placement decisions, Stevenson added, and the department commonly recommends people who can be safely managed in the community.

Committee members pressed staff on outcomes and follow‑up tracking. Stevenson said the…