Guidelines for the Successful Transition of People with Behavioral Health Disorders from Jail and Prison
Developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation in collaboration with the Council of State Governments Justice Center and the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the guidelines promote the criminal justice partnerships that are necessary to develop successful approaches for identifying individuals in need of services, determining what services those individuals need, and addressing these needs during transition from incarceration to community-based treatment and supervision.
Written for criminal justice and behavioral health administrators and practitioners, the guidelines incorporate the principles outlined in Adults with Behavioral Health Needs under Correctional Supervision: A Shared Framework for Reducing Recidivism and Promoting Recovery; A Best Practice Approach to Community Reentry from Jail for Inmates with Co-occurring Disorders: The APIC Model; and evidence-based practices and programs (many of which can be found in the What Works in Reentry Clearinghouse).
To download a PDF of the summary of the guidelines, click here.
Corrections leaders balance the complex priorities of maintaining public safety, operating secure facilities, providing needed care and services…
Read More
Every day, public safety depends on thousands of state and local leaders who work across agencies,…
Read More
In April 2025, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a package of bipartisan criminal justice legislation into law,…
Read More
Apply Now for Resident Analyst Program to Increase Data Analysis Capacity at Departments of Corrections
Corrections leaders balance the complex priorities of maintaining public safety, operating secure facilities, providing needed care and services to the incarcerated population, and coordinating with other agencies.
Read More
Amid Federal Funding Cuts, Here’s How the CSG Justice Center Can Help You Advance Safety and Justice
Every day, public safety depends on thousands of state and…
Read More
Explainer: How a New Law in Arkansas Tackles Crime, Recidivism, and Community Supervision Challenges
In April 2025, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a package of bipartisan criminal justice legislation into law, which is designed to increase public safety and improve community supervision. The legislation passed nearly unanimously.
Read More
Bipartisan Group of 88 Lawmakers Push for Continued Funding for Reentry and Recidivism Programs
A bipartisan group of 88 lawmakers, led by Representatives Carol Miller (R-WV) and Danny Davis (D-IL), wrote a letter calling for continued funding for the Second Chance Act in the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
Read More
Explainer: North Dakota’s New Youth Fitness-to-Proceed Law
Last month, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong signed a landmark bill to change how courts handle cases involving youth with mental health concerns or who lack the developmental maturity to understand the court process.
Read More
Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Introduces Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025
Today, Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representatives Carol Miller (D-WV) and Danny K. Davis (D-IL) introduced the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 in both the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
Read More