CENTERVILLE, Utah — Management & Training Corporation (MTC), which operates four of Mississippi’s correctional facilities, has started using a new cognitive-behavioral program designed to reduce recidivism at all of its Mississippi facilities.

The program is called Moral Reconation Therapy or MRT. In 2010, a research report titled “Twenty-Year Recidivism Results for MRT-Treated Offenders” showed offenders who participated in MRT were less likely to re-offend compared with those who did not receive the therapy.

MRT is an intense counseling program that combines education, group and individual counseling, and structured exercises and lessons. The course focuses on several areas including confrontation of beliefs, attitudes and behaviors, assessment of current relationships, reinforcement of positive behavior and habits, positive identity formation, and moral reasoning.

“If we can keep inmates from re-offending, we could save taxpayers a lot of money, Senior Vice President of MTC’s Corrections division Odie Washington said.

“The costs associated with processing arrests, court fees, and incarceration are enormous. At MTC, we place great importance on providing offenders with academic, vocational, substance abuse, and life-skills courses. These programs increase offenders’ chances of being successful once they leave the facility. MRT is one more tool in our list of resources to help inmates change their lives for the better.”

MTC operates the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility near Woodville.