What is “discharge planning” and what role does it play in the jail capacity plan?
Discharge planning is the counseling that incarcerated individuals receive prior to their being released from jail, either at the completion of a sentence or upon their case being resolved in court. People leaving jail and returning to the community need to be prepared (and often assisted) in finding proper housing and employment. Without such basic supports, they are likely to be re-arrested and returned to jail and perhaps prison for a longer term. A large percentage of NYC jail inmates also have problems of drug and alcohol abuse. Discharge planning counselors–usually working for community-based non-profit organizations–can provide the counseling and support inmates need to avoid drugs and their legal and health consequences, thus helping to reduce recidivism. One very important hurdle to such support is the distance of Rikers Island and its inmates from these important community services, since many of these service organizations cannot afford to post staff or frequently travel t
