Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) can give each partnering agency an opportunity to define its mission as it relates to re-entry, its perceived role in the re-entry process, and its expectations from the collaborative relationship.

Example: Corrections Organized for Re-entry (CORe), Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections

CORe partners with local and state service agencies, community organizations and citizen volunteers to provide vocational training, treatment services, life and family skills training, and housing services throughout the re-entry process. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections uses MOUs with partnering agencies to define shared goals and expectations; identify service deficits and each organizations' anticipated role in the collaboration; present data regarding the recidivism rate of prisoners released through CORe, versus a control group, as a way to encourage organizations' participation; and assign performance measures for each participating organization.

MOUs among project partners have particular value and credibility when they are signed by the chief executive of each participating organization. Such agreements should be posted and distributed widely among staff so that they understand and appreciate the scope and depth of the agreement.