What is Re-Entry?

Re-Entry begins at the point of institutional intake when key information is gathered or collected and a strategy for preparing offenders for release is initially developed.

Correctional professionals and their partners who are successful understand that every interaction with an offender is an opportunity to positively influence their behavior.

Collaboration: Working together to achieve a common goal that is difficult or impossible to reach without the assistance of another.

• Exchange Information
• Alter activities to meet the needs of all
• Share resources
• Working together to achieve a common goal

Why we need to work as a team

1. Multi-disciplinary offender reentry issues can touch upon a variety of sensitive topics; the more partners involved with you in exploring these issues, the more likely you will be able to successfully navigate difficult waters.
   
   
2. You need substance experts from a variety of disciplines in order to adequately and accurately consider current reentry practices, as well as establish realistic and achievable goals for the team.
   
   
3. When it is time to implement changes, having other partners involved from the beginning will make it easier to identify and take the necessary steps to improve reentry practices.

A team will be most successful in reaching its vision for successful offender reentry if it knows where it is, where it wants to go, the obstacles in its way, and the best methods for overcoming those obstacles. Adapted from: CEPP, 2007

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Transition Phase: Preparation for release through the development of concrete plans including specific housing arrangements; place of employment; enrollment in community-based programs and services; formalizing plans with pro-social members of the community who will serve the offenders’ community support networks; arranging transportation and identification; etc.

Family members and significant others (including employers, teachers, mentors, spiritual leaders, etc.) can best support offenders when they are aware of the work offenders are undertaking and the skills they are developing, and can support offenders as they practice these new skills in their natural environments.

"In making the transition back into the community, former inmates turn to their spouses, parents, sibling, grandparents, and other family members for assistance. These family members become the ‘front line’ of reentry, providing former inmates with critical material and emotional support including shelter, food, clothing, leads for jobs, and guidance in staying sober or avoiding criminal behavior." Hawaii House of Representative Bill 1 (2007)

Top Four Criminogenic Needs

1. History of Anti-social behavior
   Solution: Build non-criminal alternative behavior in risky situations

2. Anti-social personality pattern
   Solution: Build problem solving, self-management, anger management, and coping skills

3. Anti-social attitudes, cognition
   Solution:Reduce anti-social thinking; recognize risky thinking and feelings; adopt alternative identity/thinking patterns

4. Anti-social associates, peers
   Solution:Reduce association with anti-social others; enhance contact with pro-social others

Next Four Criminogenic Needs

1. Family and/or marital stressors
   Solution: Reduce conflict; build positive relationships and communication

2. Lack of employment stability, achievement/education
   Solution: Increase vocational skills; seek employment stability; increase educational achievement

3. Lack of pro-social leisure activities
   Solution: Increase involvement in and level of satisfaction with pro-social activities

4. Substance abuse
   Solution: Reduce the supports for substance abusing lifestyle; increase alternative coping strategies and leisure activities

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Who you put in a program is important – pay attention to risk (Our main focus is Medium and High Risk).

What you target is important – pay attention to criminogenic needs.

How you target offenders for change is important – use behavioral and cognitive-behavioral approaches and match to offender type.

How well you implement is important – adhere to research-based program and intervention designs Evidence Based Principles:

• Assess risk/need
• Enhance motivation
• Target intervention
• Skill Train
• Positive Reinforcement
• Support in natural communities
• Measure process
• Provide feedback

Performance Management: The primary value of performing management is to gauge progress relative to desired outcomes and use the information collected to shape decision making and actions that will support greater success over time.

• All correctional treatment programs reduce recidivism on average by 10%

• With cognitive-behavioral technologies 25-30%

• With interpersonal skills training, behavioral interventions, cognitive skills training, mentoring 40%

• With functional family therapy, family empowerment, multi-system therapy 60%

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