The National Criminal Justice Association has awarded Berks Connections / Pretrial Services (“BCPS”) and its Community Reentry Program with its 2009 Outstanding Criminal Justice Program Award. The award was presented at the National Forum on Criminal Justice and Public Safety in Bellevue, Washington. The BCPS Community Reentry Program provides coordinated community based services to individuals recently released from jail, with a focus on job training and employment opportunities.
The NCJA Outstanding Criminal Justice Program Awards are a way to seek out and share successful criminal justice programs. The purpose of these awards is to highlight programs that:
• Address an important criminal justice issue;
• Demonstrate effectiveness based on program goals;
• Are a good example of used of federal funds to initiate the program that is subsequently supported through state and local funds or is self sustaining; and
• Can be easily replicated in other jurisdictions.