NCJ Number
183585
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2000 Pages: 102-104
Date Published
June 2000
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Colorado State Penitentiary Progressive Reintegration Opportunity (PRO) unit.
Abstract
Colorado State Penitentiary’s PRO program operates as a stratified incentive program with increased privileges and responsibilities associated with different levels. The program includes four phases of approximately 2 weeks each and a fifth phase of indeterminate length. During Phase 1 staff evaluates inmates’ attitudes and commitment to the program. Phase 2 consists of unescorted and unrestrained individual movement for certain activities but inmates remain on 23-hour lockdown and receive meals in their cells. Phase 3 includes more liberal individual activities and evaluation of inmates’ operational rule compliance and ability to take direction. During Phase 4 evaluations continue and selected groups of program participants take their meals as a group. After 120 days, inmates who have met program goals may be considered for Level 5, close custody. The program offers an opportunity to assess inmates’ behavior in small group settings and allows staff to further assess the appropriateness of inmates’ progression out of the penitentiary.