Moving from Needs to Self-Efficacy

Abstract

SUMMARY One hundred women participated in a needs assessment and goal-planning process at a community-based agency soon after release from prison. The assessment indicated some fit between women's identified needs and how they placed themselves on “contemplation” ladders that facilitated their planning for reentry. Follow-up interviews with 14 women found a high level of satisfaction with the process, though they struggled with unmet goals. Participants and social service providers made programmatic recommendations that go beyond social services to address economic and self sustainability in the transition from prison to community.