Reentry Courts

This chapter provides a discussion of reentry programming and specialty courts designed to assist offenders who are reintegrating into society after being released from incarceration. Reentry courts represent a unique form of problem-solving justice that addresses criminogenic needs (rather than behavioral health needs) related to recidivism. This chapter provides an overview of the history and development of reentry courts, followed by a discussion of common components of these courts and an overview of a few prototypically models of U.S. reentry courts. This chapter also summarizes the relevant research on these courts and highlights limitations in the literature. Finally, this chapter discusses how specialty reentry courts/programming can function most effectively to prevent recidivism, how these courts can expand their reach, and aspects of reentry courts that are in need of additional research.