By: Michele Krueger, equivant Supervision Product Implementation Specialist
The need for effective reentry programming has garnered widespread attention as an alternative to mass incarceration. Reentry programming plays a critical role in the successful transition of individuals from incarceration back into the community. It aims to decrease criminal reoffending and promote family and community integration.
Successful reentry programming begins with a thorough needs assessment. By conducting this assessment, reentry programs can tailor their services to address each individual’s specific needs.
Understanding the Importance of a Needs Assessment:
The needs assessment systematically gathers information about individuals’ strengths, challenges, and needs to design and implement appropriate interventions. In reentry programming, needs assessment involves evaluating various aspects of a person’s life, including housing, employment, education, substance abuse, cognitive behavioral programming needs, and social support networks. By identifying individuals’ specific needs, reentry programs can develop personalized case plans that address these needs comprehensively.
Tailoring Reentry Programs to Individual Needs:
COMPAS is one of the most-used needs assessment instruments because of its configuration capabilities. Reentry programs have the flexibility to tailor interventions based on current program capacity while also collecting the data needed to inform any potential program gaps. Rather than implementing one-size-fits-all approaches, reentry programs can use the information gathered through the COMPAS needs assessment to customize their services to meet the unique needs of each individual. For example, if the COMPAS assessment reveals that a returning citizen lacks stable housing, the reentry program can prioritize connecting them with housing assistance resources. Similarly, if the COMPAS needs assessment identifies substance use issues, the reentry program can offer access to treatment and support services.
The role of needs assessment in enhancing and tailoring reentry programming cannot be overstated. By assessing justice-involved individuals with COMPAS and other needs assessment instruments, reentry programs can develop personalized interventions that address the specific challenges faced by returning citizens. This approach increases the effectiveness of reentry programs, promotes successful reintegration into society, and reduces the likelihood of recidivism. For more information about reentry and assessment instruments, please contact us.
