Lack of resources in the community is a major obstacle in addressing the special needs of this group of offenders.  When asked, "What community resource is most lacking in regard to placing parolees back into the community?" state parole directors polled in the year 2000 identified the inadequacy of services for people with mental illness.  The two resources they identified most frequently -  housing and licensed substance abuse treatment - are key to successful community reintegration for parolees with mental illness. ^[1]  

For instance, paroling authorities are put in a difficult position when prerelease program staff at the prison recommend specific conditions of release that are difficult to implement or enforce, given limited resources available.  In these situations, the releasing authority may be understandably reluctant to approve the inmate's release.  In some cases, the inmate's release is delayed due to the lack of an appropriate placement plan until they have completed their sentence, causing them to return to the community without any structured plan or supervision.  Such delays serve neither the offender's treatment needs nor the interests of justice.

Before placing an individual in the community, parole board members need to be assured that the services required for the successful reintegration of the offender with mental illness are available in the communities to which they return.  Most jurisdictions engage staff or consultants to the parole board to investigate and report to the board the existence and adequacy of local services.  Boards need this assistance to help them know and understand the degree of mental illness, needed elements of a release plan to the community, and alternatives to revocation.