NCJ Number
214777
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 70 Issue: 1 Dated: June 2006 Pages: 70-76
Date Published
June 2006
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article offers advice for developing reentry handbooks for prisoners returning to society.
Abstract
Many State prisoners are released from prison at the completion of their sentences and have not completed prerelease programming to prepare them to successfully reenter society. It is crucial, therefore, that jurisdictions create reentry handbooks that can aid prisoners in their transition back to their communities. Reentry handbooks are meant to provide prisoners returning to their communities with basic information and contacts to facilitate their successful reentry into society. The handbooks should be discrete and should be distributed to prisoners well in advance of their release. There are currently no industry standards for the design of reentry handbooks. The authors reviewed over 15 reentry handbooks from around the country and interviewed reentry experts, probation professionals, prisoners, and parolees to develop a set of recommendations for the development of reentry handbooks. Recommendations include the advice to provide an honest yet hopeful introduction, possibly followed by letters of support and sponsorship of the handbook from ex-prisoners. Developers are encouraged to prioritize crucial first steps for newly released prisoners and to include a reference list for less immediate issues, such as voting rights and religious community directories. The content of the handbook should also include sample job letters and resume layouts as well as forms for obtaining identification documentation, maps of cities, public transportation routes, and the locations of major social service providers. A clear description of community supervision policies should be included. Developers are also cautioned to be sensitive to language barriers and literacy levels. References, appendixes