The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) recently shared its findings on successful reentry, including these five essential strategies:
1. When it comes to reentry programming, one size does not fit all. Tailoring materials to the demographics, needs and risk factors of each individual is essential for participant success and positive outcomes. NIJ determined that separate gender-responsive materials for men and women – instead of “neutral,” generalized materials – also lead to more successful participant outcomes.
2. Aim for support services to be holistic. It's important to address multiple needs of participants, giving each individual as many skills as possible to utilize when they return to the community.
3. Remember the importance of family and support systems. Regular family contact in positive environments is significant for successful reentry.
4. Programs that incorporate cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are widely effective.
“If there's one specific type of intervention that the literature has found to be effective in supporting successful reentry above all others, it's programs that include a cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT component. CBT can
help individuals recognize past and current negative patterns of behaviors and decision making, helping them restore self-esteem and imparting tools and strategies to make more positive life choices.”
– Nancy La Vigne, Director of the National Institute of Justice
5. Community supervision works best when it combines both traditional surveillance functions and additional support and coaching functions. Officers trained in a coaching methodology that focuses on the individual’s talents, skills, abilities and support networks – not just their risks and needs – can build more successful partnerships with those returning to the community after incarceration.
Applying these strategies throughout an individual’s time in the justice system has been shown to have positive results.
Many of the evidence-based programs created at The Change Companies are specifically designed to support success in reentry and reduce recidivism in incarcerated populations. Our knowledgeable team partners with you to address the needs of your population. Interactive Journaling® materials draw from a range evidence-based components, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and expressive writing.
