Ex-Offender Reentry Process

Policymakers on the national, state, and local levels are always finding ways to improve the nature of the reentry process. The reentry process starts in correctional facilities and helps inmates prepare themselves for release and proceeds with their transition back into society as law-abiding citizens. In comparison to the average American, ex-offenders tend to be less educated, less likely to gain employment, suffer from substance abuse, or have been diagnosed with a mental illness. All of these aspects discussed are shown to be risk factors for recidivism, which is the tendency that causes criminals to re-offend. Generally, the offender reintegration process needs to be improved by properly monitoring the outcomes for reentry programs in order to return prisoners back to society safely.

Once the offenders release period starts, programs then focus on connecting ex-offenders with the various services they may require. Long-term programs take place when the ex-offender permanently reintegrates back into the community. Though these three phases are very useful, criminals are only tracked in the beginning stages. According to research, “it’s become clear that evidence-based initiatives that concentrate resources on moderate-and high-risk individuals must be the cornerstone of any effective strategy for making our communities safer” (Cole, 2012, p. 19). Those who complete all three phases of prisoner reentry programs should be evaluated to determine the outcome and if they are indeed a threat to