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.
Our mission hasn’t changed; it’s become more essential. The following 2025 accomplishments are a testament to that enduring…
Read MoreFrom new laws and reentry councils to increased funding and lowered barriers, these wins highlight collaboration, creativity, and…
Read More
How Kentucky’s “Seth’s Law” Reduces Barriers to Care for Competency to Stand Trial and Guardianship
Read More
2025 in Review: Justice Data and Solutions for State and Local Leaders Amid Federal Change
Our mission hasn’t changed; it’s become more essential. The following 2025 accomplishments are a testament to that enduring focus.
Read MoreFrom new laws and reentry councils to increased funding and lowered barriers, these wins highlight collaboration, creativity, and innovation across our Reentry 2030 network.
Read MoreState leaders gathered for the fourth session of the Reentry 2030 Workforce Development Peer Learning Cohort.
Read More
Getting the Right Response When Every Crisis Is Different: 4 States Share Lessons on Building Coordinated Crisis Systems
New Jersey, Utah, Virginia, and Washington discuss their different "Aligning Health and Safety" approaches and some of the challenges they’ve experienced.
Read More
DOJ and DOL Announce $155.5M in Federal Funding Opportunities for Reentry, Community Supervision, Behavioral Health, Youth, and Incarcerated Parents
Application deadlines range from March 19–April 6, 2026.
Read More