Changes on the way for The Villa

Greeley's halfway house could soon be under new management.

The announcement comes about three months after a report revealed several problems in the operation of the facility including sexual liaisons in what became known as the "Boom-Boom Room," and a tunnel that held weapons and drug paraphernalia.

The Villa -- also known as The Restitution Center at 1750 6th Ave. -- is owned by Avalon Correctional Services Inc. of Oklahoma but could be taken over by Community Education Centers, Inc. of New Jersey. The company is considering a management agreement with Southern Corrections Systems, Inc., which owns Avalon, said Tiffany Smith, vice president of marketing and communications for Avalon, in an e-mail interview.

Kevin Strobel, chairman of the Weld County Board of Community Corrections, said the New Jersey company is negotiating with Avalon to assume options of all of Avalon's five community corrections programs in Colorado, including The Villa.

The Weld County Community Corrections Board deemed CEC a proper and safe operator based on the company's current operations of six facilities in Colorado, Strobel said.

"They are a tested and trusted community corrections operator," said Strobel, who added CEC's management of The Villa would last through the end of the fiscal year in June, when the board of community corrections will choose management company. CEC is expected to submit a proposal.

Weld County commissioners approved a resolution Wednesday for CEC to take over operations from Avalon as of today or soon after, said commissioner Rob Masden.

Masden, who noted CEC approached Avalon about the deal, said CEC's good track record makes for a promising future with The Villa.

Upon completion of the agreement, CEC will be responsible for meeting terms and conditions of all existing contracts with the 19th Judicial District, including staffing and day-to-day operations. And all employees at SCS facilities in Colorado would become employees of Community Education Centers, Inc. at that time, said Smith in the e-mail.

The change comes in the wake of a Weld corrections officials' March request for new operators to bid on running the program.

A Colorado Public Safety Report on The Villa cited several violations such as: unqualified staff members, staff members having sexual relations with inmates, falsified drug tests and a lack of sufficient security.

While a recent audit of the facility showed the staff has improved in several areas, the Weld board still requested the bids for a new operator for a community corrections facility.

Masden said he hopes the change in operations alleviates those prior issues. Villa director Matt Brucklacher did not return multiple phone calls Wednesday.

William Palatucci, senior vice president/general counsel with CEC, said in an e-mail that CEC looks forward to bringing its extensive experience in Colorado with community corrections programs to Weld.

CEC's Web site states it staffs its facilities with "capable, highly skilled, experienced, and well-trained employees, all of whom, are committed to creating and maintaining an environment that positively shapes attitudes and an outlook on life."

The Web site also states CEC is the largest offender re-entry and in-prison treatment provider in America, with facilities in 22 states, including six residential re-entry centers in Colorado.

Strobel said the deadline for companies interested in taking over the management of the facility is May 15, at which time the Community Corrections board will select a company.

If another company other than CEC wins the bid, the new facility would likely be moved to a former nursing home on East 18th Street in Greeley.