COLORADO ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS BOARDS
About CACCB
The Colorado Association of Community Corrections Boards (CACCB) represents board members from all of Colorado’s local community corrections boards and works to improve community corrections statewide through ongoing education, orientations, and training. Founded in 1990 as a voluntary, dues‑supported nonprofit association, the CACCB holds three meetings per year that offer training, education, and networking opportunities, and provides an annual orientation and manual for new members. Leaders from related agencies and groups—including the Division of Criminal Justice, the Department of Corrections, the Parole Board, the Judicial Department, and the Colorado Community Corrections Coalition—attend these meetings to share updates on matters relevant to CACCB members. In addition, the Executive Committee and other members interact with elected officials and the public to promote the effectiveness of community corrections, and often participate in local and statewide criminal planning and policy groups.
About Community Corrections
The History of Community Corrections in Colorado
The Community Corrections system in Colorado was established through legislation passed in 1974. Senator Ralph Cole is widely recognized as the father of Community Corrections in the state. Since its creation, the Colorado Legislature has continually updated the duties and responsibilities of community corrections boards and programs. Court decisions have also shaped how community corrections operates. Each year, new bills are introduced that impact Community Corrections programs, providers, and the clients they serve.
Who Runs Community Corrections
Community Corrections Explained
Community Corrections is often referred to as a “halfway house.” In Colorado these are typically occupied by ‘Diversion’ clients from Probation / judicial and ‘Transition’ clients from DOC. For DOC inmates the idea is to include graduated release through a systematic decrease in supervision and increase in offender responsibility. DOC offenders can go to a Community Corrections as an inmate and / or while on parole as a ‘Condition of Parole’ placement. Community Corrections programs are supervised by the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ).
Community Corrections provides a sentencing or placement alternative, in lieu of prison incarceration, for felony offenders. Participating in a Community Corrections program requires the offender to change his or her behavior, while allowing some restricted privileges to access the community. Community Corrections combines residential supervision and treatment for offenders that are ineligible for probation supervision or for those who have spent time in prison and are awaiting parole placement by the State Board of Parole.
All providers of Community Corrections perform similar levels of core supervision and treatment practices according to the state standards. In addition to the core standards, some providers have specific programs targeted toward the supervision and treatment of specialized offenders who have various levels of substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and for offenders convicted of a sexual offense. These specialty programs include: Intensive Residential Treatment (IRT) programs, Residential Dual Diagnosis Treatment (RDDT) programs, Therapeutic Community (TC) programs, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Sex Offender Supervision and Treatment Programs (SOSTP).