Residents could be transferred despite contract extension
Residents at one of Denver’s community corrections facilities could be transferred to other counties this month, despite a six-month contract extension with the company that operates the halfway house.
As of Monday night, none of the residents at the William Street Center had been transferred as a result of the City Council’s decision to end the city’s contract with GEO Group, said Greg Mauro, director of Denver’s Division of Community Corrections. But staff and city officials are starting to create plans for the residents’ next steps, which could include transfers to facilities in other cities in the coming weeks.
“We’re working with the neighboring counties to minimize disruption,” Mauro said. “But there’s going to be disruption.”
The transfers will be another ramification of the Denver City Council’s unexpected decision last month to sever ties with private prison companies GEO Group and CoreCivic, which together own and operate six halfway house facilities here. The City Council voted Aug. 26 to approve short-term contracts with CoreCivic and GEO Group to continue operations for another year and another six months, respectively.
The extension was intended to give the city more time to transition the residents of the six halfway houses as officials find ways to replace the long-standing programs. But some of the residents at Williams Street will likely still have to move, disrupting their jobs, daily routines and any counseling they were receiving.
“There’s no perfect solution,” Mauro said.
About 60 women live at the Williams Street facility, and staff members are meeting with each client to determine their next step, Mauro said. The residents could be moved to a new community corrections facility or referred to probation services or the parole board, if eligible. The Williams Street location is one of only five female-only community corrections programs in the state.
“It’s a scary situation for the residents,” he said. “Details could change by the week.”