West Caldwell: Prison Company Gets New Contracts Following Suicide Scrutiny

A West Caldwell-based prison management company that’s come under scrutiny for multiple suicides at a Pennsylvania facility under its auspices has won two new contacts in California.

On Wednesday, West Caldwell-based Community Education Centers (CEC) announced that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation awarded it a contract to expand its in-prison treatment services to two of its state prisons.

New services will be provided at Valley State Prison (VSP) in Chowchilla for 516-beds, and California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran (SATF) for 532-beds.

Each of the new programs commenced on July 1 with a two-year contract, followed by three potential one-year extensions, a release stated.

In addition, California re-awarded the company a contract for the California Men’s Colony (CMC) for 216-beds in San Luis Obispo that began on July 1 under the same terms.

According to a release, CEC’s approach to rehabilitation “conforms to best practices and accreditation standards while uniquely designed for specific venues.”

In July, families of two inmates who hung themselves while incarcerated at a Pennsylvania prison under the management of CEC threatened legal action following what may be the seventh suicide at the facility in a decade.

• See related article: West Caldwell-Based Prison Company Comes Under Scrutiny Following Suicides

File photo: The George W. Hill Correctional Facility