Module 7: Transition Plan Development

Welcome to Transition Plan Development. This module explores the use of individualized written transition plans that lay out the intervention, treatment, and services for a person in jail and after release, based on prior assessment of his or her risk and needs.

Transition plans are essential in preparing individuals for release and enhancing long-term reintegration, particularly for those who are assessed as moderate or high risk/need. Transition plans also serve as a means by which offenders can open a dialogue with their counselors, case managers, and program or supervision officers and plan for their return to the community.

The most vital piece of successful reentry is a comprehensive reentry plan. This plan should begin as early as possible, and entail having the inmate active in the development and completion of the plan. Community agencies need to build a relationship with the offender and schedule appointments. The plan should be given to community agencies, the offender and facility programs. The comprehensive reentry plan is a road map to success for offenders trying to negotiate the struggles of a new lifestyle.

—Paul Mulloy, Director of Programs, Offender Reentry Center
Davidson County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office

Before we begin, take some time to think about what transition plans, if any, your jail presently uses. Ask yourself the following three questions:

1.	Does your jail facility use transition plans?	Yes No
2.	Do your jail facility’s transition plans include in-custody, discharge, and postrelease components?	Yes No
3.	Do risk and needs assessments actively inform the individual’s transition plan?	Yes No

Did you answer “Yes” to each of the questions? If not, this module is meant to help you develop transition plans that identify the appropriate range of in-jail and community-based interventions for your incarcerated population, given the range of needs identified.

This module has five sections and will take between 15 and 20 minutes to complete.

Recommended audience for this module

Sheriffs
Jail administrators
Correction staff involved in transition efforts
Jail treatment staff
Pretrial services staff
Community corrections staff
Reentry coordinators
Community providers
Probation officers
Pretrial services
County board members
Criminal justice council members
Judges and officers of the court

Download Module 7 in PDF format.

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