ATCs allowed state prisoners to serve a portion of their prison term living and working in the community. When first placed in an ATC, prisoners received counseling and participated in 35 hours a week of individualized education, public service, vocational training, and employment programming. After complying with ATC rules (for example, returning to the center at scheduled times) and the 35 hour a week participation requirements for 23 days, participants could seek employment in the community with support from the ATC.