In downtown Cheyenne, Wyoming, a historic 38,000-square-foot building constructed in 1895 houses CoreCivic's Cheyenne Transitional Center, a community corrections facility focused on helping residents successfully transition from incarceration back into the community. Operating under a contract with the Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC), Cheyenne Transitional provides structured reentry services designed to support accountability, employment, and long-term stability.

Under the leadership of Facility Director Jamie Goerner, Cheyenne Transitional has cultivated a culture centered on accessibility, accountability, and personal investment. Goerner maintains an open-door policy and personally conducts intake meetings, ensuring she meets residents upon entry into the program. That first interaction sets the tone. Residents are not simply residing at the facility; they are welcomed, oriented, and expected to engage in their own success.

This approach is resonating with residents in Wyoming’s community corrections system. In 2025, Cheyenne Transitional received the highest number of referrals among the state’s three Adult Community Corrections programs, with more than 280 accepted applications. Many residents report choosing the facility based on what they have heard about the program’s structure and staff engagement, a reputation built primarily through word of mouth.

At Cheyenne Transitional, resident engagement translates into measurable results. The facility boasts a 96 percent employment rate among residents working in the community and achieved an 85 percent successful resident discharge rate in 2025.

The facility's commitment to success and accountability extends beyond the facility walls. Through partnerships with organizations including Bethel Ministries, the Downtown Development Authority, and local recovery and workforce agencies, residents actively contribute to the Cheyenne community. For the past four years, residents have volunteered as safety flaggers for the Laramie County Riders Association’s regional motocross races, a role that requires vigilance, reliability, and trust. In a letter of support, a board member described residents as “pleasant to work with, friendly, hard workers” who consistently demonstrate professionalism and accountability.

This consistent community presence is important to helping the local community truly understand the facility's mission. When concerns were raised by the local community about the downtown location of the facility, leadership at Cheyenne Transitional engaged directly with city officials, providing data and context. The conversation shifted from assumption to understanding and reinforced the notion that strong, transparent stakeholder communication strengthens community confidence.

Cheyenne Transitional operates on the belief that meaningful reentry requires both structure and support. Residents participate in cognitive-behavioral programming, life-skills courses, and budgeting sessions with case managers while also building employment history and community connections that support long-term stability. Goerner often hears from residents that they feel seen, heard, and invested in. This investment from leadership, staff, and community partners translates into measurable outcomes and lasting impact.

The city of Cheyenne is a community shaped by deep roots and a strong sense of responsibility to one another—and Cheyenne Transitional strives continually to uphold those community values. Within walls grounded in history, the program demonstrates that when accountability is paired with opportunity, and when a community invests in its people, second chances become lasting futures.