The handbook uses the experience on the National Crime Prevention Council and includes examples of innovative programs and sample policies and practices that can be adapted to meet an agency's specific needs. The first section discusses the basic rationale for involving the community in preventing and controlling criminal behavior and the advantages of involving citizens in all aspects of the organization and its operations over restricting the involvement to a specific task or process. Additional sections examine the infrastructure necessary for successful community partnerships regardless of the purpose or context, the basic requirements for successfully engaging and mobilizing individuals and groups, techniques for the effective use of volunteers, and traditional and innovative methods for involving the community in community corrections. Checklists; forms; sample program materials; profiles of effective programs; chapter reference lists; and annotated lists of funding sources and organizations offering training, technical assistance, publications, and volunteers