--- title: "Rehabilitation and Reintegration: Strategies for Successful Re-entry" description: Re-entering society after incarceration can be daunting, agencies can focus on improving re-entry programs and preparing for success with these methods! image: https://www.orbispartners.com/hubfs/hands-2_orig.jpg --- [![Orbis logo with tagline](https://www.orbispartners.com/hubfs/Orbis%20logo%20with%20tagline.png "Orbis logo with tagline")](https://www.orbispartners.com) [![GET STARTED](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/295885/e3774f31-d7aa-4835-ae99-a43130102b90.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/295885/e3774f31-d7aa-4835-ae99-a43130102b90) ** ![Orbis Gradient 6](https://www.orbispartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Orbis%20Gradient%206.png?width=3334&name=Orbis%20Gradient%206.png "Orbis Gradient 6") # BLOG Check out Orbis' blog to see articles and content with a focus on criminal and juvenile justice, child welfare, evidence-based interventions, and other matters affecting our communities.  # Rehabilitation and Reintegration: Strategies for Successful Re-entry Posted by [Orbis Partners](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/author/orbis-partners) on Feb 23, 2023 9:00:00 AM Assimilating back into society is exceptionally difficult for individuals who have been incarcerated. Those with [criminal convictions](https://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/indicator/2018/03/prisons-to-communities) have little access to public assistance programs, limited job opportunities, and barriers to obtaining a quality education, including professional and technical licensing programs. Re-entry programs can help break down barriers and give people with justice involvement the best chance at success. Before we highlight strategies for successful re-entry, let’s consider some of the factors that interfere with successful re-entry.  #### Factors that Prevent Successful Re-entry  With limited access to housing, education, and jobs, former justice-involved individuals are [ten times](https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2021/02/10/homelessness/#:~:text=Research%20has%20consistently%20shown%20a,from%20correctional%20facilities%20per%20year.) more likely to become homeless, [eight times](https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/education.html) less likely to complete college, and have significantly [higher chances](https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/eprfp10.pdf) of unemployment than the general public.  After incarceration, it is a fierce uphill battle to become a productive member of society. Formerly incarcerated individuals often struggle with creating a comfortable, happy, and successful life for themselves and, thus, fall back into old harmful habits.   According to a recent Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) [report](https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/recidivism-prisoners-released-34-states-2012-5-year-follow-period-2012-2017), 45.8% of individuals released from state prisons were returned to prison within 5 years. The U.S. Department of Justice [recognizes](https://www.justice.gov/archives/prison-reform) that evidence-based re-entry programs that address criminogenic needs can reduce the likelihood of recidivism among people who have been convicted of a crime and increase the chances of success after imprisonment.  #### 9 Ways to Improve Re-entry Programs  The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) states, “Sending an individual convicted of a crime to prison isn’t a very effective way to deter crime.” Their data shows severe punishment, including the death penalty, has no proven effect on crime either.   Therefore, there must be a better system that addresses the reason behind criminal behavior, rehabilitates individuals formerly incarcerated, and gives them the tools needed for a successful future. Here are nine ways the justice system and its constituents can improve inmate re-entry programs to decrease crime and improve prison outcomes.  1. Start Preparing for Re-entry from Day One According to the [Federal Bureau of Prisons](https://www.justice.gov/archives/prison-reform), gathering information about the likelihood of reoffending and the criminogenic needs of a person with justice involvement is the first and most crucial step in re-entry planning. Every person sentenced to prison has a unique background, including factors such as criminal history, substance abuse, and education level. Assessing an individual’s past and current need profile can ensure that the prison system provides appropriate services and monitors progress throughout the period of incarceration. 2. Use Risk/Needs Assessment Tools [Risk/needs assessment](https://www.orbispartners.com/offender-risk-assessment) tools can be used at the beginning of a justice-involved person’s term to assess which services they will need while incarcerated and upon re-entry to measure progress and assign programs/services that will further improve outcomes. [SPIn Re-entry](https://www.orbispartners.com/offender-risk-assessment) is an excellent risk/needs and strength assessment developed by Orbis Partners to help caseworkers develop service plans for their criminal justice clients by identifying an individual’s likelihood to re-offend. 3. Utilize Standardized, Evidence-Based Programs Evidence-based programs that target criminogenic needs, such as [cognitive-behavioral therapy](https://www.orbispartners.com/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-training), can help reduce an individual’s odds of committing a crime during and after incarceration. While incarcerated, inmates who participate in these programs spend more time in productive activities, such as therapy sessions, giving them new skills. Upon release, former inmates will have a mental toolkit for coping and improving behavior. 4. Increase Educational Opportunities Within the Prison System According to a Bureau of Justice Assistance [report](https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/Publications/RAND_Correctional-Education-Meta-Analysis.pdf), those who participate in prison education programs are 43% less likely to be convicted of a crime after re-entry. In addition, with available remote learning technology and access to tablets customized for a prison environment, inmates can participate in an educational model that blends in-person and online learning to obtain adult literacy/basic skills, high school diplomas, and post-secondary education. 5. Support Formerly Incarcerated Individuals in Developing Marketable Job Skills A felony conviction often makes it difficult for formerly incarcerated individuals to obtain jobs that pay well and offer benefits, as does a gap in employment and relevant skills. Therefore, prison systems should utilize job training programs, like [UNICOR](https://www.unicor.gov/), to increase opportunities for inmates. 6. Prioritize Mental Health Treatment [Studies show](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537064/#:~:text=Certain%20psychiatric%20conditions%20do%20increase,or%20have%20long%2Dstanding%20paranoia.) that certain psychiatric conditions increase an individual’s risk of committing a crime, developing substance use disorder, becoming unemployed, and losing housing. It’s conditions like these that must be addressed before an inmate re-enters society if they are to become successful. 7. Provide Appropriate Substance Use/Abuse Treatment National Institute on Drug Abuse data shows that comprehensive substance use treatment in prison reduces drug use and crime after re-entry. Justice systems can use programs, such as [Residential Drug Abuse Program](https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/substance_abuse_treatment.jsp) and [Medication-Assisted Treatment](https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders), for inmates who require such services. 8. Help Inmates Remain Close to Their Families While Incarcerated According to the [Federal Bureau of Prisons, ](https://www.justice.gov/archives/prison-reform#_ftn2)maintaining close and positive family relationships during a prison sentence reduces the likelihood of reoffence, improves chances of securing employment, and minimizes harm to the family unit. 9. Improve Quality of Information and Resources Upon Re-entry Without proper guidance, former inmates may not know their rights or which services and programs are available to them. The justice system has recently improved its available resources with a [Roadmap to Re-entry](https://www.justice.gov/reentry/roadmap-reentry), [Re-entry Handbook](https://www.bop.gov/resources/pdfs/reentry_handbook.pdf), and a [re-entry hotline](https://www.bop.gov/resources/former_inmate_resources.jsp). Although these are excellent efforts, individuals transitioning into their community may need personalized assistance to ensure they take advantage of what is available and have further support and guidance. Once released, the individual should receive continuing support to sustain the gains made while incarcerated. Moreover, the re-entering individual should have access to community-based services to help with needs that were not addressed by programming while the individual was incarcerated. The latter defines the situation for many formerly incarcerated individuals, making community programming essential if they are to succeed in their re-entry worlds.  Re-entering society after incarceration can be daunting, but criminal justice agencies can focus on improving their re-entry programs and preparing inmates for success by following these nine methods, including risk/needs assessment tools.   **Orbis Partners provides solutions for criminal justice and human services systems, specializing in designing and implementing services for at-risk client groups and criminal justice staff. For more information, visit our resources by **[clicking here](https://www.orbispartners.com/risk-assessments)**.**   Tags: [Mental Health](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/mental-health), [Criminal Justice](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/criminal-justice), [Evidence-Based Interventions](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/evidence-based-interventions), [Justice Reform](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/justice-reform), [Adult Risk Assessment](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/adult-risk-assessment) ### Written by [Orbis Partners](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/author/orbis-partners) ### Search ** ### Recent Posts #### [Evidence-Based Assessment Tools for High Caseloads](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/evidence-based-assessment-tools-caseloads) [Orbis Partners](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/author/orbis-partners) 0 Comments #### [Responsivity in Case Planning: Turning Assessment into Action](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/responsivity-in-case-planning) [Orbis Partners](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/author/orbis-partners) 0 Comments #### [AI Contributions to Case Planning in Justice Organizations: Transforming Assessments into Action](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/ai-in-case-planning-risk-assessments) [Orbis Partners](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/author/orbis-partners) 0 Comments ### Tags ### Posts by Tag - [Evidence-Based Practices (36)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/evidence-based-practices) - [Youth Risk Assessment (36)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/youth-risk-assessment) - [At-Risk Youth (33)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/at-risk-youth) - [Criminal Justice (29)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/criminal-justice) - [Juvenile Justice (25)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/juvenile-justice) - [Juvenile Justice Reform (25)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/juvenile-justice-reform) - [Behavioral Health (22)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/behavioral-health) - [Mental Health (21)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/mental-health) - [Adult Risk Assessment (19)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/adult-risk-assessment) - [Agencies & Admin (16)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/agencies-admin) - [Justice Reform (14)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/justice-reform) - [Assessment (13)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/assessment-key-research-library) - [Substance Abuse (8)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/substance-abuse) - [collaborating (7)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/collaborating) - [Cognitive Behavorial Therapy (5)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/cognitive-behavorial-therapy) - [Motivational Interviewing (4)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/motivational-interviewing) - [Case Planning (3)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/case-planning) - [Evidence-Based Interventions (3)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/evidence-based-interventions) - [Women + Girls (3)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/women-girls) - [AI (2)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/ai) - [Assessment (2)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/assessment) - [Juvenile Probation (2)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/juvenile-probation) - [School Safety (2)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/school-safety) - [staff training (2)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/staff-training) - [Child Welfare (1)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/child-welfare) - [Software (1)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/software) - [Trauma-informed (1)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/trauma-informed) - [training (1)](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/tag/training) [see all](https://www.orbispartners.com/blog/9-ways-to-successful-reentry#) Quick Links ATLANTA 3500 Piedmont Rd NE Suite 310 Atlanta, GA 30305 OTTAWA Box 520 5550 Manotick Main Street Ottawa, Ontario K4M 1A5 - - - © Copyright 2024 | All Rights Reserved ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=3425345&fmt=gif)