by Mark Wester, Executive Director, EMBRAVE
Welcome to the EMBRAVE Blog. We’re glad you’re here.
This first post marks the beginning of a monthly series where we’ll explore the role community corrections plays in Colorado—and the work EMBRAVE is doing to help individuals, families, and communities thrive.
Before I joined EMBRAVE as Executive Director, I didn’t know much about community corrections. Like many people, I had a general idea of what a halfway house was, but not a clear understanding of how these programs work or why they’re so important.
That changed quickly when I was recruited by EMBRAVE’s board to lead the organization. What I discovered was eye-opening—and deeply hopeful. Community corrections, when done well, create real, lasting change not just for individuals involved in the justice system, but for every one of us who wants a safer, stronger community.
What Is Community Corrections?
Community corrections refers to structured residential programs for people with felony convictions. Some individuals are diverted from prison to serve their sentence in these programs. Others are transitioning out of incarceration and preparing to return to the community.
Rather than being released without guidance, they live in a supervised environment that blends accountability with support. This allows people to address the behaviors that led to their conviction, find meaningful employment, and rebuild their lives—while still contributing to and being part of the community.
At EMBRAVE, about 20% of our residents are women. All of our clients are making intentional choices to move forward—and we’re here to help them do that.
What EMBRAVE Provides
At its core, EMBRAVE is about creating opportunity and structure. Our programs offer:
- 24/7 supervision in a residential setting
- Employment support—80–85% of our residents work full-time
- Mental health and substance use disorder treatment
- Medication monitoring and case management
- Integrated care to address trauma, addiction, and other root causes of criminal behavior
Our facilities may look like military-style barracks, but what happens inside is deeply personal and transformative.
Is It Working?
Yes—and not just anecdotally. According to recent state data, 71% of EMBRAVE residents avoid a new felony conviction within two years of starting the program.
That’s a powerful outcome. But even more powerful are the stories we hear every day—of people reconnecting with family, healing from trauma, and finding purpose in places they never thought possible.
Why Community Corrections Matters
The reality is this: most people with felony convictions don’t receive life sentences. They return to our neighborhoods, our businesses, our places of worship. The question isn’t whether they come back—it’s whether we’re helping them return in a way that makes our community safer.
Community corrections offers a solution. It blends structure and compassion, supervision and support. It reduces recidivism and promotes restoration. And most importantly, it works.
What’s Next?
We’ll be using this blog to dive deeper into the work we do, introduce the people behind the mission, and explore broader issues in the justice system and community health. If you’re curious, passionate, or even skeptical—we invite you to follow along.
We believe in second chances. We believe in accountability. And we believe in the power of community.
Thanks for reading.
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Want to learn more about EMBRAVE or community corrections in Colorado?
Reach out to us. We’d love to talk.