Cornell Companies
Encyclopedia
Cornell Companies was an American
corporation
that operates correctional facilities, contracting them to state and local governments. The company
's headquarters
are located in Houston, Texas
. On August 12, 2010, Cornell and the GEO Group
merged.
.
Within the Adult Secure Services segment, Cornell provides minimum- to maximum-security incarceration services for federal, state and local government agencies. The company ensures public safety through the operation of a secure environment which includes, among other security and safety measures, professional correctional guards, alarmed fencing, razor wire and centralized monitoring via closed circuit camera systems. Cornell also provides a variety of educational, counseling and vocational programs aimed at providing a successful transition of inmates back into the community. Group and individual counseling is available for issues such as substance abuse and addiction, victim awareness and anger management. Cornell also provides extensive training in diverse employment and life skill areas including computers and job training opportunities, decision-making, personal hygiene, parenting, banking, budgeting and money management.
Cornell's Adult Community-Based Services involve the supervision of adult parolees and probationers. Cornell offers a national presence with locations in many large urban areas, throughout the United States. The company's programs focus on transitioning offenders approaching release from a correctional facility back into society. Through education, employment training, treatment, monitoring and accountability, clients receive the necessary tools to make positive life choices that can reduce their likelihood of re-entry into the correctional system. Cornell is a leading provider of community-based services to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons and to a number of state corrections departments.
The Abraxas Youth & Family Services division includes residential, detention, shelter care and community-based services, along with educational, rehabilitation and treatment programs for juveniles, typically between the ages of 10 and 18. Cornell’s Abraxas division is uniquely equipped to address the issues currently facing the juvenile justice system because its operating scale enables the company to offer programs tailored to specific treatment programs such as sex offenders, firesetters, adolescent female programs, mental/behavioral health and drug and alcohol treatment.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
corporation
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
that operates correctional facilities, contracting them to state and local governments. The company
Company
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
's headquarters
Headquarters
Headquarters denotes the location where most, if not all, of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. In the United States, the corporate headquarters represents the entity at the center or the top of a corporation taking full responsibility managing all business activities...
are located in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. On August 12, 2010, Cornell and the GEO Group
GEO Group
The GEO Group, Inc. is a company headquartered in One Park Place, Boca Raton, Florida. GEO is a multi-national provider of governmental services specializing in the management of correctional, detention and mental health and residential treatment in North America, Australia, South Africa and the...
merged.
History
Cornell Companies, through predecessor entities, began juvenile operations in 1973, adult-community-based programs in 1974, and adult secure operations in 1984. In 1996, Cornell Companies was officially incorporated in the State of Delaware as a consolidated entity. Accordingly, Cornell has established long-standing relationships with a number of significant federal and state customers, including a nearly 20-year relationship with the Bureau of Prisons in its Adult Secure division and a 35-year relationship with the Bureau of Prisons in its Adult Community-Based division. Also, in Cornell's Abraxas juvenile division, over 70% of revenue is currently sourced from customers over 15+ years. Moreover, through its emphasis on building strong customer relationships, Cornell has attained a significant presence with the Alaska, Mississippi and Arizona Department of CorrectionsDepartment of Corrections
A Department of Corrections is a governmental agency responsible for overseeing the incarceration of persons convicted of crimes within a particular jurisdiction. Entities serving that purpose include:* Department of Corrections...
.
Business Segments
Cornell Companies offers a diverse portfolio of services in structured and secure environments through three operating divisions:- Adult Secure Services
- Adult Community-Based Services
- Abraxas Youth and Family Services
Within the Adult Secure Services segment, Cornell provides minimum- to maximum-security incarceration services for federal, state and local government agencies. The company ensures public safety through the operation of a secure environment which includes, among other security and safety measures, professional correctional guards, alarmed fencing, razor wire and centralized monitoring via closed circuit camera systems. Cornell also provides a variety of educational, counseling and vocational programs aimed at providing a successful transition of inmates back into the community. Group and individual counseling is available for issues such as substance abuse and addiction, victim awareness and anger management. Cornell also provides extensive training in diverse employment and life skill areas including computers and job training opportunities, decision-making, personal hygiene, parenting, banking, budgeting and money management.
Cornell's Adult Community-Based Services involve the supervision of adult parolees and probationers. Cornell offers a national presence with locations in many large urban areas, throughout the United States. The company's programs focus on transitioning offenders approaching release from a correctional facility back into society. Through education, employment training, treatment, monitoring and accountability, clients receive the necessary tools to make positive life choices that can reduce their likelihood of re-entry into the correctional system. Cornell is a leading provider of community-based services to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons and to a number of state corrections departments.
The Abraxas Youth & Family Services division includes residential, detention, shelter care and community-based services, along with educational, rehabilitation and treatment programs for juveniles, typically between the ages of 10 and 18. Cornell’s Abraxas division is uniquely equipped to address the issues currently facing the juvenile justice system because its operating scale enables the company to offer programs tailored to specific treatment programs such as sex offenders, firesetters, adolescent female programs, mental/behavioral health and drug and alcohol treatment.