About the Report The Report, Part II: Review of the Re-Entry Process:

chapters and policy statements:
About the Report of the Re-Entry Council

18: Release Decision

Ensure that people exiting prison or jail who it is determined pose a threat to public safety are released to some form of community supervision; use the results generated by a validated risk-assessment instrument, in addition to other information, to inform the level and duration of supervision, and, for those states that have maintained some discretion in the release process, to determine when release would be most appropriate.

Overview

Full Overview »
Though a transition planning team can make recommendations for release using information drawn from risk assessments, criminal records, progress on a programming plan, family member interviews, and victims, it is incumbent on the releasing authority to make the final decisions regarding release and conditions of release. Ultimately, these decisions provide the foundation for the supervision strategy when the individual re-enters the community.

Research Highlights

Recommendations

  1. Train releasing authorities to use and analyze the information provided to them objectively and effectively.
  2. Ensure that, where risk assessment, criminal history information, and other factors reflect a likelihood of the person re-offending, the person is assigned to a period of community supervision after his or her release from prison.
  3. Ensure that proposed conditions of release are supported by research, recognize the particular strengths and needs of each individual and the resources of the community, and are consistent with the rules that the releasing authority is prepared to enf
  4. Determine how various payments (e.g., restitution, child support, fines) expected from the prisoner upon his or her release will be incorporated into the conditions of release.
  5. Articulate in writing the reasons for the decision by the releasing authority whenever such decision is discretionary.
  6. Ensure that a procedure exists to modify and revise, as appropriate, the conditions of release, including the possibility for early discharge from the authority of the court or supervising administrative agency.

Related Policy Statements

 Our Publications

Public Housing Authorities and Prisoner Re-Entry

A growing number of people are released each year from state prison and local jails; this phenomenon, prisoner reentry, has a significant impact on housing programs administered by PHAs, including public housing, the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), and other programs.

Related Information

Issue Area:
Public Safety

Special Project:
Assessment Processes