In 2008, the National Institute of Corrections and the Center for Effective Public Policy published the TPC Reentry Handbook: Implementing the NIC Transition from Prison to the Community Model. This web site is, essentially, a web-formatted version of the handbook, designed to increase availability of the Handbook's information, to aid navigation through the material, and to provide links to other resources.

In recent years, correctional agencies across the nation have focused on the challenge of helping a growing number of offenders make a safe transition from prison to the community. In 2001, the national Institute of Corrections (NIC) launched its Transition from Prison to the Community (TPC) Initiative to bring the best of practical thinking and research knowledge to this issue. Our goal was to articulate a comprehensive and strategic approach to transition that would incorporate the lessons of evidence-based practice, emphasize the importance of collaboration, and provide a practical tool for corrections agencies to utilize.

The result was the creation of the TPC model, and the significant accomplishments of eight states that worked with NIC to implement and adapt the model to the realities of day-to-day operations. This TPC Reentry Handbook presents the important principles of the TPC model and documents the experiences of the eight states that have put the model into practice: Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, and Rhode Island. It summarizes the significant accomplishments already achieved in these states, provides insight into the challenges they faced, and provides guidance about successful strategies for bringing about change in transition and reentry practices.

Perhaps one of the most significant lessons from this experience is that the work of transition and reentry does not belong to corrections agencies alone. It overlaps with the interests and mandates of many public agencies, community organizations, victims, offenders, and their families. However one may decide to adapt the ideas in the TPC model, it seems clear that a collaborative approach will be essential.

I would like to commend the TPC teams in the eight states that have worked with NIC on this Initiative. Their efforts are generating improved outcomes for community safety and providing a valuable set of experi­ences to help guide their colleagues in other jurisdictions as they continue to address the challenges of transition and reentry.

Morris L. Thigpen
Director
National Institute of Corrections