What Is the CORE Program at Belknap County? A concise guide for families

Belknap County's Community Corrections Center (CCC) is an 18,410 square foot facility built around treatment, counseling, and education for people at high risk of substance misuse and reoffending. It opened on August 17, 2017, and operates differently from a traditional "sit and wait" jail stay. The goal: combine structure and accountability with programming designed to support real change.

The CCC has 72 beds. Half are designated for people court-ordered into the Corrections Opportunity for Recovery and Education (CORE) program. For families, that detail matters. CORE is a major part of who lives at the CCC, not a small add-on. If your loved one is there, their housing and supervision are likely tied directly to where they are in the CORE phases.

Phase 1 is an intensive, 3-month treatment plan. Counselors and case managers monitor progress closely, so expect strong oversight and a heavy focus on treatment work and accountability.

Phase 2 is Work Release. Participants work in the community while still living at the CCC, and they may attend evening programming. Think of it as a bridge between full-time facility structure and more independence. They still return to the CCC each day.

Phase 3 uses Electronic Monitoring. Participants who qualify can live in approved local housing while Community Corrections staff continue supervision. For families, this is when living arrangements may shift out of the facility. Supervision, however, remains part of daily life.

Phase 4 is re-entry back to the community. Participants receive enhanced aftercare along with supervision from Probation and Parole Officers. The focus: staying on track after leaving structured phases, with support and accountability continuing outside the facility.

The Belknap County Department of Corrections partners with Horizons Counseling Center to deliver CORE at the CCC. The program is based on cognitive behavioral treatment, giving participants tools aimed at sustained recovery after release. If you want to understand what your loved one is working on, here's the basic framework: skills-based treatment designed to carry over into life after custody.