Promoting Reentry Well-Being: A Novel Assessment Tool for Individualized Service Assignment in Prisoner Reentry Programs

The Reentry Well-Being Assessment Tool (RWAT) is an innovative practice tool to systematically guide individualized assignment into reentry program services based on a participant’s changing needs during the transition from prison to the community. Clearly defined treatment targets that promote an individual’s well-being are paired with a comprehensive set of assessments within the RWAT to measure progress throughout a prisoner reentry program. This assessment data is then integrated with practitioner expertise to decide whether the type and intensity of services should be increased, decreased, or maintained at pre-determined programmatic time points. The use of the RWAT is a collaborative process between the practitioner and the participant that guides treatment planning towards increased well-being of formerly incarcerated individuals. Future research into the effectiveness of the RWAT within prisoner reentry programs is discussed.