RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF REENTRY

WHEREAS, the Association of Paroling Authorities International preamble states that the membership is committed to protection of the public in carrying out statutory release practices and community field supervision, and strives to employ quality release practices in an effort to identify those offenders who will likely pursue a stable and productive life in the community; and recognizes that some offenders present a continuing risk to the public and may not be successfully reintegrated into the community before the termination of their sentences; and works to reduce the recidivism and dysfunctional behavior in our population by promoting successful reintegration of the offender; and is committed to effective community supervision and believes that the right of the victim and the public at large must be safeguarded.

WHEREAS, offenders when released from prison to the community have the greatest risk of failure in the first 90 days of release. Releasing offenders back into society should be well planned and directed toward positive outcomes. The planning should promote public safety, address the needs of the offender, hold them accountable to the conditions of release, while including offenders' families in the planning, and be sensitive to victims and their families.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF PAROLING AUTHORITIES, that the membership supports the development of the following comprehensive reentry practices:

A. Reentry programs should include:

A process that starts at the point of entry into the prison system to allow maximum time for planning. Risk and needs assessment and other diagnostic evaluation should identify specific programming needs of offenders for both prison and community supervision.
The teaching of skills to enhance employment availability at the time of release.
A period of supervision in the community for support and accountability with specific conditions to address behavior changes and public safety.
Prison and community audited programs that specifically focus on cognitive therapy.
Approved housing that is supportive of supervision.

B. Community supervision is more likely to be successful, if offenders have:

Reduction in antisocial peer associates
Changes in antisocial attitudes and feelings.
Increased self-control, self-management and problem solving skills.
Appropriate housing needs met
Have both employment and educational opportunities
Affordable health care and sufficient medications available.
Systems in place that promote pro-social alternatives.

C. Information about the offenders needs to be shared with stakeholders in order to:

Maintain collaboration and cooperation with law enforcement, criminal justice authorities, community officials, service providers, community leaders and victims
Engage the community and the offenders' families to help expand services and provide guidance and oversight of the offender

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Parole boards and other releasing authorities are in the best position to manage the reentry of offenders into the community, because they:

Have been traditionally responsible by statute to address reentry in release decision-making.
Operate as separate and independent citizen oriented boards whose goals are to seek a balance in public safety and the suitability of the offender to return to the community.
Have a history of professional assistance to design and refine good release and violation practices
Have the decision-making authority to:

Require clear and evaluative goals for reentry.
Develop consistent policy within the corrections system to guide reentry.
Develop collaboration among policy makers and practitioners for sharing information, identifying needs, pooling resources and identifying strategies for individual offenders.

Provide for victim input and impact statements during the decision-making process.
Understand the resources available and maximize their impact by directing the policy of referral and placement of offenders into resources.
Work with the offender prior to release with access to all evaluation, assessment, and program information necessary to formulate a release plan that will address identified risks and needs.
Plan for those unwilling or unable to change.
Have the authority to establish the terms of release and to direct policy which will:

Ensure that offenders are assessed for therapeutic progress, adjustment of lifestyles, and needs for placement in community resources.
Provide the link from facility based programming to services in the community, thus preserving and reinforcing the investments made in programming.

Incorporate community concerns into the decision-making process.
Offer consistent decision-making to a total prison population and for those under supervision.
Make decisions based on factors beyond the crime of conviction or sentence.
Maintain oversight of the parolees' performance while under supervision in the community to assure compliance with condition of parole, addressing their risk and needs while being sensitive to the public safety concerns.

Adopted April 30, 2008