Level 5: After Care

After care sanctions are appropriate for offenders transitioning back into the community following secure care. After care should be provided for all youth returning to the community from any type of secure program or facility. Aftercare should be built on a well structured graduated sanctions system with “step-down” services and sanctions. It is much less difficult to develop after care services than append these services to an existing poorly structured correctional system. A model after care program referred to as intensive supervision program should consist of the following elements: 1) short term transitional placement in secure confinement, 2) day treatment, 3) outreach and tracking, 4) intensive supervision, 5) routine supervision and 6) case closure.