Client survey regarding transition management from prison to life in society

Project period

01.04.2020 – 31.12.2023

Project staff

Prof. Dr. Thomas Bliesener 

Merten Neumann

Helena Schüttler

Project description

A key factor in the rehabilitation of imprisoned offenders is a successful transition from prison to life in society after release. Therefore, the organization and structure of this transition has received increased attention in recent years. The so-called transition management is much more than just a preparation for release. It refers to a case-related and cross-case management of various treatment and support measures within the prison system with the external reintegration assistance for (former) prisoners, which requires close cooperation between the judicial authorities, offender services, and competent third parties. The aim of this concept is to improve the quality of the release from prison, and to promote effective cooperation, as well as the purposeful and structured aftercare of released offenders.

In order to assess the needs and the view of the (former) prisoners regarding the transition management, we are conducting a repeated survey of the clients – once shortly before release and again about six months after release. The survey addresses those who are to be released on parole or under supervision of conduct from a prison in Lower Saxony within a period of six months, or who have contact to outpatient offender services after release. In addition to capturing the need for support and the use of various services and measures within the transition management, we will also examine which personal goals the prisoners set for themselves regarding the time after their release. Based on the results of the survey, we aim to identify strengths of the currently practiced transition management and possibilities for improvement.