The report provides a comprehensive analysis of essential elements for programs addressing reentry, a review of the current research literature, and examples of programs and policies that illustrate how other communities have addressed the issue of prisoner reentry. Thirty-five policy recommendations for reentry initiatives are offered in this report for policymakers and practitioners at all levels of government; each policy recommendation is followed by a description of the problem it addresses and research highlights summarizing relevant studies. The recommendations describe the steps that should be followed to implement the recommended policy. Examples illustrate programs, policies, and elements of State statutes that show how other jurisdictions have attempted to implement the policy under consideration. Part 1 of the report focuses on the steps necessary to build a solid foundation from which to develop reentry programming. Chapters in this section discuss how stakeholder commitment and information gathering are important elements for any reentry initiative. Also described in this section are the key issues that form the basis of all reentry efforts, including mission statements, funding, systems integration, performance measurement and evaluation, and public information. Part 2 focuses on the development of reentry policies and programs in a particular jurisdiction. Chapters in this section illustrate the sequence of events that take place from the time a person is admitted to a correctional facility to the time of successful sentence completion in the community. Part 3 describes the essential improvements that must occur within housing, workforce development, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, children and family support, and health care to meet the needs of reentry individuals. Appendixes offer information on the programs used as examples throughout the report and present data about the status of parole by State. Appendixes, bibliography, glossary, index