A Guide to Reentry-Focused Performance Excellence

“I think the goal of everyone involved in the reentry process—the individual prisoner, his family, his community, and the agencies of government—should be to improve the chances of successful reintegration for each returning prisoner. This means re-establishing (or, as the case may be, establishing) positive connections between the returning prisoner and his family, the world of work, and the institutions of community.”

Jeremy Travis, President
John Jay College of Criminal Justice

The Reentry-Focused Performance Excellence Guide is specifically designed to empower each Correctional Industries (CI) organization, no matter the size or structure, to direct and improve its organizational focus and performance outcomes through strategic planning and measurable results. The Guide is a compilation of key best practice components that provide CI programs the direction and tools necessary to be significant contributors to the nationwide Reentry Initiative.

This Best Practices Model supports implementing effective strategies through the context of work. The results are focused on increasing an individual’s success after release. The model provides a holistic approach to evaluating strengths and weaknesses and how to proceed with recommendations based on best and promising practices. Implementing this model will result in long-term sustainability for the organization, increased institutional stability and reduced recidivism for the system. It will develop a culture of offender development and employability, preparing an individual for gainful attachment to the workforce.

The guide was developed with the knowledge that every Correctional Industries program is unique in its design and operation as well as where they are positioned along the road of Reentry alignment. Each program may develop and use the Reentry-Focused Performance Excellence Guide to integrate and enhance its existing processes according to available resources.

Strategic Planning is the foundation of the model; therefore, it is recommended that each program begin with this component. The remaining components are designed to meet an organization where it is on the journey within the Reentry framework. The order of the remaining components should be addressed and integrated into operations based upon priority and cost of implementation. 

Benefits

• Reduce Recidivism
• Increase Institutional Stability and Public Safety
• Enhance Operations
• Ensure Sustainability
• Improve Offender Success

This guide is a collaborative effort between the National Correctional Industries Association (NCIA) and the National Institute of Corrections (NIC)