If possible, all parties, including the inmate, should participate in a discharge planning meeting just prior to the inmate being released.  This provides all parties with the opportunity to understand one another's roles and responsibilities set forth in the treatment and community integration plan, as well as to establish a working relationship to carry out the conditions of the arrangement. Ideally, family members should be part of this process. The offender or family may decline, however, especially if family members do not feel they are prepared to support the inmate upon his or her release.