Smart Reentry: Focus on Evidence-Based Strategies for Successful Reentry from Incarceration to Community

The goal of this program is to support jurisdictions to develop and implement comprehensive and collaborative strategies that address the challenges posed by reentry to increase public safety and reduce recidivism for individuals reentering communities from incarceration who are at medium to risk for recidivating. Within the context of this initiative, “reentry” is not envisioned to be a specific program, but rather a process that begins when the individual is first incarcerated (pre-release) and ends with his or her successful reduction in risk of recidivism and community reintegration (post-release). This process should provide the individual with appropriate evidence-based services—including reentry planning that addresses individual criminogenic needs identified through information obtained from an empirically validated risk/needs assessment that also reflects the risk of recidivism for each individual. The reentry plan should reflect both specific and ongoing pre-release and post-release needs, and a strategy for ensuring that these needs are met throughout the duration of the reentry process.