Berks Alliance Community Forum: Berks Connections / Pretrial Services

Spotlight on Berks Connections / Pretrial Services
BCPS believes that people can change.

Since 1975, Berks Connections/Pretrial Services (BCPS) has provided services to adult defendants, inmates, returning citizens, and their families. BCPS’s programs and services are rooted in the belief that people can change, and that providing the tools people need to be successful not only positively impacts them it impacts their families and our community as well.  

BCPS offers workforce development programs for incarcerated individuals and reentrants including job readiness education and employment support services with a goal of fostering stable employment with a career pathway and reducing recidivism. A recently launched program with support from the United Way, Reentry Works, will help ensure that all Berks County residents who have been involved in the criminal justice system have access to the support and resources they need to become reliable and successful employees.

Employers benefit from this unique talent pool as well. BCPS works directly with employers to identify open positions and define their work environment to match clients to a job that is the best fit for them.  BCPS continues to provide support services for these clients for one year after they enter the workforce.  

Berks Connections/Pretrial Services improves lives and creates safer, more prosperous communities by providing services, support, and community reintegration to individuals involved in the justice system and to their families.  The communities we serve are safer and healthier because people in the justice system have the tools and support to live productive, law-abiding lives.

BCPS is a tax-exempt charitable organization funded through the County of Berks, the United Way of Berks County, the PA Department of Corrections, state and federal grants, foundation grants, local church groups, and generous ongoing support from businesses and individuals.