In order to avoid further harm to the community, this author describes how society can aid offenders in their return to its midst by providing for positive change. A brief review of material published on this subject is provided. A paradigm shift is described as being needed, one that accepts the fact that prison or jail seldom if ever has changed behavior. This entails a need to revisit mandatory sentencing, local policies on parole and probation violations, redirect financial resources to a network of more effective community correction centers, and halfway houses, and offer judges a menu of various intermediate sanctions to impose in lieu of incarceration. Focus areas include building a true criminal justice system, coalition building with non-criminal justice agencies, restorative justice programs, program evaluation, and a model in progress in Massachusetts, a collaborative process between the community correctional and institutional correction staffs plus various public and private agencies in the area to help provide the returning offender with a safety net of needed services. It is this model that the author advocates in his conclusion. A source list of references is included.