Transition from Prison to Community

Helping offenders make a successful transition from prison back into the community has been the focus of much interest in recent years. In 2001, the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) launched it’s Transition From Prison to the Community (TPC) initiative to bring the best of practical thinking and research knowledge to this issue. The goal was to articulate a comprehensive and strategic approach to transition that incorporates the lessons of evidence-based practice, emphasizes the importance of collaboration, and provides a practical tool for use by corrections agencies and their governmental and community partners. The TPC model was developed and NIC is now bringing to conclusion extensive implementation assistance to a first set of eight states. The TPC Reentry Handbook (see “Background”)provides a thorough record of that initiative and what has been learned so far. Building specifically on NIC’s efforts to date, this cooperative agreement award will deliver TPC technical assistance to a new set of approximately six states and the provider, in conjunction with NIC, will continue to advance the model and develop products that can assist non-participating jurisdictions who have an interest in TPC implementation.