Chapter IV: Incarceration and Reentry

< >

Outline
Introduction
Policy Statements:
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Additional Resources

< >

Policy Statement 21: Development of Transition Plan

Facilitate collaboration among corrections, community corrections, and mental health officials to effect the safe and seamless transition of people with mental illness from prison to the community.

Overview
Recommendations:
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j

Recommendation i: Monitor the inmate closely in the days approaching release and modify the discharge plan when appropriate.

Successful implementation of the transition plan is usually contingent on the following:

updated examinations, which closely reflect the status of the inmate's mental health and psychotropic medication requirements on or near the release date;
cooperation among at least two agencies to enable representatives from one agency to navigate another system credibly; and
provision of a mental health status evaluation for the purpose of risk assessment and/or supervision. (See Policy Statement 19: Subsequent Referral for Screening and Mental Health Evaluation.)

A mental health professional should conduct a mental health assessment of the inmate at a point just prior to release to ensure that the discharge plan is fully adequate to addressing the inmate's current needs and circumstances. If it is not, the mental health professional should work with the releasing authority to modify the discharge plan accordingly.