Toward a Practice Framework for Throughcare Reintegration Programs

Practice frameworks for programs supporting people to transition between prison and community are a critical resource for service agencies, researchers and policy makers. Although reintegration programs are often commissioned with reference to Risk-Needs-Responsivity and the Good Lives Model, these frameworks lack specificity for practical program design. Following recent meta-theoretical guidelines, we articulate a practice framework for reintegration programs over three levels: (1) principles and values; (2) knowledge related assumptions; and (3) intervention guidelines. Level 1 is drawn from the capability approach, which frames the goal of increasing the substantive freedom of individuals. Level 2 is drawn from desistance theory, which grounds claims that sustained cessation of offending is enabled by changes in people’s self-labels and narrative, relationships with friends and family, access to resources, and community participation. Level 3 is drawn from throughcare service design and structures practice into seven domains. This framework has potential to reduce rates of reincarceration.