The centers are located in Framingham, Mattapan, Quincy, Brockton, New Bedford, Lawrence, Worcester, and Springfield.

The centers offer inmates a wide range of services, including addiction treatment, job counseling, and vocational training.

Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey said the centers are aimed at reducing recidivism rates. "There is a growing consensus that we need to focus on re-entry," she said. "The centers are not a comprehensive answer. It's just the first step."

Nearly half of the 20,000 inmates who are released from Massachusetts jails and prisons will commit another crime within three years of their release. "If we deter even a fraction of those 20,000 people from coming back, the savings to the state would be immense," said Healey. "We expect the program would be able to pay for itself."

The centers are being funded by a $9 million federal grant and $1.1 million in state money.

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