THE COMMUNITY REHABILITATION SYSTEM BEGAN OPERATIONS IN AUGUST OF 1972. IT CONSISTS OF A NETWORK OF SMALL, SEPARATELY OPERATED COMMUNITY BASED CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES THAT HANDLE BOTH 'POST-RELEASE' AND 'PRE-RELEASE' CLIENTS. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE SYSTEM IS TO PROVIDE THE OFFENDER WITH A SMOOTH TRANSITION FROM THE TOTAL INSTITUTIONALIZED CORRECTIONAL FACILITY TO THE FREEDOM OF A PAROLE. SERVICES INCLUDE: PERSONAL COUNSELING, VOCATIONAL COUNSELING, ARRANGEMENTS FOR PRE-VOCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING, JOB DEVELOPMENT AND JOB PLACEMENT, ARRANGEMENT FOR EDUCATION, FINANCIAL PLANNING, ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEDICAL AND LEGAL HELP, AND PARTICIPATION IN INTERAGENCY PROGRAMS. DURING 1974 ROXBURY COMMUNITY REHABILITATION CENTER, BROOKE HOUSE, AND COOLIDGE HOUSE ALL WENT FROM A RESIDENCY POPULATION MADE UP ENTIRELY OF POST-RELEASE CLIENTS TO A POPULATION OF 75 TO 77 PER CENT PRE-RELEASE RESIDENTS. THIS REFLECTS A DEPARTMENTAL POLICY CHANGE THAT EMPLOYS THE COMMUNITY REHABILITATION SYSTEM PRIMARILY TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS ON PRE-RELEASE STATUS....RCB