Indicators Of Top-notch Prisoner Reentry Programs

By Deborah Clark


An incarcerated individual may have troubles assimilating back into the society after they have been released. This on many occasions is due to the fact that they may have undergone a hard time in prison. The one way of easing their assimilation into the society is their enrollment in reentry programs. However, it is important to get the most effective programs. The following are the seven elements of effective prisoner reentry programs.

The initiation ought to start early. It is important to prioritize on this characteristic when evaluating such programs. In many instances, the ones that succeed are the kinds which identify and start working with offenders even before their freedom is granted. It is largely due to the fact that one can easily be assisted to adjust to life when they have not been released and the effects will manifest once freedom is granted.

Offenders are handled like clients. The manner in which offenders are treated always affects the success of a program. It is crucial for them to handle the ex-prisoners as clients who are then taught to easily assimilate back into the society. This is opposed to them treating them as offenders in general and using similar tactics for all of them. They ought to be dealt with on an individual basis because each person has their own unique issues.

The schedules need to have various reassessment frameworks. It is very essential for a reentry program to have its keen focus being the provision of the best frameworks. Key to this is constant reassessment which entails having to ensure that the offenders are assisted to better shape their lives. Since recidivism can have negative effects it is very important for the program to ensure that it does not have any. Only constant reassessment can ensure this.

The focus on evidence in the handling of issues. It is critically important to ensure this characteristic at any period that one selects a rehabilitation program. Those which insist on the availability of concrete evidence to prove the success of any work they do is the best. They need to avoid an approach of flying blind where they have no clue as to what makes any program for rehabilitation achieve its objectives.

The support offered needs to be positive and less punitive. Correction and rehabilitation undertakings over the past have shown that more focus on punishments rarely helps to derive the intended results. As such, it is very important for a reentry program to focus more on encouraging offenders by means of motivation and instilling a positive morale. Goals are easily realized in such a manner.

Partnerships ought to be available since they provide a strong framework. This critical aspect is also essential for one to verify and as such one should check it with keenness. Mainly, it entails having to verify that a program is linked with numerous other beneficial organizations. Issues are easily handled in such a manner that may be too difficult for one organization to handle.

The benefits are best when they are long-term. A keen focus on long term goals is always essential as offenders need to be assisted to live a better life. They should be encouraged to make decisions that are more impactful over a long period.




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