News  Taunton Community Justice Support Center will recognize client milestones

The Taunton Community Justice Support Center, located at 5 Cohannet Street, will recognize two individuals on Thursday, May 29th, at 1 pm, for completing the center’s programming and several other clients for reaching important milestones such as obtaining employment or earning their Hi-Set/GED. The ceremony is taking place at one of the “signature sites,” where court and local leaders will attend and provide remarks. Center enrollees had a less than a 36 percent recidivism rate, according to a UPENN study conducted in recent years.

Taunton’s Client Recognition Ceremony is one of a number of acknowledgement events taking place at the 18 Community Justice Support Centers across the state. Recognition ceremonies have already taken place in Brockton, Greenfield, Boston, Springfield, Plymouth, Framingham, Haverhill, and Lawrence. The centers are a program of the Office of Community Corrections which is a division of the Massachusetts Probation Service.

“We’ve recognized more than 60 individuals who are safely in their communities, beginning new remarkable journeys with their families and friends instead of jail or prison,” said Vincent Lorenti, Executive Director of the Office of Community Corrections.

Center clients are sentenced by a judge to attend CJSC programming, including treatment, education, career counseling, and case management support. Clients may also access legal resources thanks to a new pilot partnership with the Court Services Centers. They may participate in the Ralph Gants Project, a jobs and skills training initiative, and have access to health insurance through enrollment in MassHealth and Health Connector. Housing options, such as sober beds and reentry, are available to those returning to the community.