The Joe Pelle Center (JPC), an alternative sentencing facility, is a community-based residential facility designed to provide alternatives to incarceration by creating a dignified, sustainable, and adaptive environment. It will model the tenants of personal and community accountability, responsibility and respect that will be conducive to reparation, learning and community safety. The JPC will provide individually tailored programming through a variety of approaches including:
- Residential and non-residential mental health and substance use disorder treatment
- Trauma informed and gender responsive care
- Diverse, equitable and culturally relevant services
- Assistance securing meaningful employment and/or education
- Engagement with individuals with lived experience, peer support services and community supports (hospitals, employers, faith-based organizations, etc.)
The facility will have the capacity to house up to 252 male, female and non-binary clients that have been sentenced to Community Corrections or Work Release.
Community Corrections
Community Corrections offers a District Court Judge a third, intermediary sentencing option to prison or probation. It also provides a step-down option for individuals in prison to be released with services in place before their parole eligibility date. Clients work with a case manager to address criminogenic risk factors, stability, and overall needs, with the goal of re-entering the community safely and productively. Upon successful completion of the residential phase, clients transition to independent living while still under supervision. A Community Corrections Board, appointed by the County Commissioners and comprised of community members and system partners, determines acceptance in the program, with community safety as the primary consideration.
Work Release
Work Release is an alternative to incarceration in jail. This residential program allows a client to continue engaging in their community through work, school, treatment, and court or probation ordered responsibilities while serving a county jail sentence. Clients are assigned to a case manager who they will meet with regularly and are required to retain employment, participate in required treatment, honor financial responsibilities, and remain drug and alcohol free.
The JPC will also provide non-residential services for clients sentenced to Day Reporting and Home Detention/ Electronic Home Monitoring.
The JPC will follow Victim Rights Act requirements including victim notifications.
Success of the Joe Pelle Center will rely heavily on collaboration with justice system partners, families, housing and other human services, faith based organizations and the broader community.
For more information, please contact Tim Hand, JPC Facility Administrator, at 970-449-2781 or thand@bouldercounty.gov
