Discuss the process of reentry of inmates as they move from incarceration back into the community.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers may vary.The process of reentry focuses on preparing inmates to move from incarceration back into the community and to face a world that is fundamentally different from the one to which they adapted while in prison. To be successful, they must adjust quickly. Fortunately, and appropriately, there has been more emphasis on this transition during recent years. In this chapter, we have seen the importance of services delivered in the community-and planning so that services are delivered as needed and intended. Partly because of the relatively recent nature of the emphasis on reentry in corrections, there is limited empirical research regarding the effectiveness of reentry programs. Existing research in this area has recently been summarized.The priorities for reentry begin with the goal of reducing the risk of reoffending. There are a number of ways to pursue this goal. Just as drug courts and mental health courts target specific constellations of clinical symptoms with the expectation that providing relevant services in these areas will reduce the symptoms, promote better adjustment, and reduce recidivism risk, the reentry process aims to target risk-relevant needs as the individual returns to the community. Released inmates account for a large proportion of the population with communicable health problems-for instance, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C. Reentry services can promote the provision of necessary health care services. Reentry services can also yield significant cost savings when provided effectively. This is always an important consideration for local and state governments dealing with crime.Reentry can actually be considered broadly as including services provided during custody, in preparation for release, and during the period of community supervision and eventual discharge. The custody phase involves measuring offenders' risks, needs, and strengths upon entry to the correctional facility and providing interventions designed to reduce risk, address needs, and build strengths. The release phase includes inmate release preparation, with a parole plan for supervision, housing, employment, drug testing, and other considerations, and release decision-making, regarding the parole decision. The community supervision/discharge phase involves supervision and services, revocation decision-making (including graduated sanctions in response to infractions), and discharge and aftercare, when community correctional supervision is terminated. This section of the chapter focuses on the community supervision/discharge phase of reentry.