Pennsylvania § 4903 - Safe Community Reentry Program.

§ 4903. Safe Community Reentry Program.

(a) Program established.--The department and the board shall jointly establish a Safe Community Reentry Program to reduce recidivism and ensure the successful reentry of offenders into the community.

(b) Assessment and plan.--

(1) The department shall assess each offender entering into the State correctional system to determine which treatment services, programs and skills the offender needs to develop to be successful in the community following the offender's release.

(2) The department or the board shall assist each offender in developing a reentry plan for the offender. The reentry plan shall include the offender's educational, employment, housing and treatment needs as appropriate and necessary to encourage the successful transition and reintegration of the offender into the community.

(3) The department or the board shall endeavor to coordinate the specifics of the offender's reentry plan with the educational, vocational training and treatment services that will be provided to the offender during the offender's incarceration.

(c) Transition and reintegration programs.--The department may identify a comprehensive network of transition and reintegration programs to address the needs of offenders released from incarceration.

(d) Community organizations.--

(1) The department and the board may use community organizations and other nonprofit and for-profit entities to assist the department and the board in meeting the needs of offenders reentering the community.

(2) The department and the board may develop and maintain a list of community organizations and other nonprofit and for-profit entities available to provide services. Community organizations and other nonprofit and for-profit entities may provide services, including education, vocational training, treatment services, support with finding housing and employment and may help with family issues and other elements of life after incarceration.

(3) The department and the board may refer offenders to community organizations and other nonprofit and for-profit entities on the list.

(e) Sharing of information.--The department and the board may share information about offenders with the entities the department and the board contract with under section 4904 (relating to contract for services) and other agencies and providers of services as necessary to adequately assess and address the needs of each offender. The following shall apply:

(1) No person having access to any report, record or other information prepared or assembled under this chapter shall disclose the report, record or information without the permission of the department or the board.

(2) Nothing under this subsection shall be construed to permit the department or the board to disclose information where disclosure is prohibited under Federal or State law or regulations.