Much is already known about the factors that affect a client's chances of establishing him or herself in the community upon release from prison. For instance, many clients have an immediate need for income-assistance, so re-establishment of benefits is an important step to be addressed at the earliest possible opportunity. Similarly, safe, affordable, permanent housing is closely correlated with success in the community.  For almost all persons with mental illness leaving prison, addressing housing needs must be seen as a high priority.

Maintaining contact between the mental health system and individuals who have entered it from prison also provides opportunities for other factors to be more clearly understood. It is important for the community provider to understand the factors that led up to arrest.  The planning of effective services involves attention to these matters to ensure services are delivered that reduce the likelihood of rearrest.  Community providers must incorporate this understanding into an individualized treatment plan.  The needs of a mother who has been incarcerated for crimes directly related to substance abuse will necessarily differ from those of a young male imprisoned on a personal assault conviction. It is important for any service provider to systematically evaluate its approaches, and in this area especially it is necessary to build training curricula on the experiences of those staff, clients, and families attempting to bridge the worlds of prison and mental health.  In a well-functioning system, recognition of individual needs will come with experience, and responsiveness will thus become more effective.

By maintaining contact with recently released offenders with mental illness and providing effective services for them, community mental health providers demonstrate their willingness and ability to perform an important public safety function.