New Interactive Report Shows How Alternatives to Incarceration Programs Change Lives

May 13, 2026

San Diego County Probation operates the Community Transition Center (CTC), California's only centralized reentry facility of its kind, which has served individuals released from prison for thirteen years. The center provides immediate comprehensive support by transporting clients directly from prison to receive assessments, meals, clothing, phones, temporary housing, and connections to healthcare, treatment, and other essential services through a multidisciplinary team approach. Since its 2013 opening in response to state realignment legislation that transferred supervision responsibilities to counties, the CTC has assessed over 23,800 individuals while diverting more than 2,400 from custody and saving over 17,100 jail days.

Who is affected

Approximately 1,000 people annually on post-release community supervision (PRCS)
Over 23,800 people screened and assessed since the center's opening
More than 2,400 clients diverted from custody
Individuals convicted of non-serious, non-violent, and non-sexual offenses in San Diego County
The multidisciplinary team staff including licensed behavioral health clinicians, nurse case workers, Medi-Cal access staff, Medication-Assisted Treatment liaisons, residential treatment providers, and Probation Officers
The broader San Diego County community benefiting from improved public safety

What action is being taken

The CTC is transporting clients directly from prison to the facility
A multidisciplinary team is conducting 2-3 hour intake assessments and case planning
Staff is providing meals, clothing, phones, and access to safe beds
The center is offering detox services, transitional housing, substance use education, cognitive-behavioral programs, employment resources, and life-skills classes
The facility is operating 24/7, 365 days a year
Staff is connecting clients to housing, mental health services, substance use treatment, medical care, and family support

Why it matters

The CTC addresses a critical gap in prisoner reentry by preventing the chaotic and unsupported release process that occurs in most California counties, where individuals must navigate transportation, housing, and mandatory reporting alone. By providing immediate, comprehensive support and connections to essential services, the center breaks the cycle of recidivism that results from unmet basic needs and underlying issues like substance abuse and mental health challenges. The program's evidence-based, person-centered approach has demonstrated measurable success in reducing jail overcrowding, saving taxpayer resources, and improving long-term public safety outcomes. As the only program of its kind in California, it serves as a model for how counties can fulfill their responsibility for supervising formerly incarcerated individuals while actually helping them rebuild their lives rather than simply monitoring compliance.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint