Strategies for Reentry Planning for Parole and Probation Officers

Course Summary

The United States admits millions of individuals to local jails and thousands to prisons each year (Mueller & Kluckow, 2025; Zeng, 2023). Many enter the system with behavioral health needs. Because these conditions often worsen without consistent treatment, effective reentry planning becomes essential. Yet only a portion of individuals receive coordinated support as they transition back into the community, leaving many without the treatment, medications, or follow-up care needed to stabilize their health and reduce their risk of returning to custody. For parole and probation officers, this raises an important reflection: how might outcomes improve when even one person has your guidance and support during reentry?

To build on the strong work you already do in this field, this course provides additional strategies to deepen support, strengthen connection, and help individuals move toward healthier futures. It also illustrates some of the real challenges people may experience during reentry.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Define recidivism.
2. Identify at least three barriers to successful reentry.
3. Identify at least three strategies that strengthen reentry planning.

Learning Audience

This course is designed for probation and parole officers who support individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community.

Course Duration

• 60 minutes