About the Report of the Re-Entry Council

20: Planning Continuity of Care

Prepare community-based health and treatment providers, prior to the release of an individual, to receive that person and to ensure that he or she receives uninterrupted services and supports upon his or her return community.

Overview

This policy statement illustrates how policymakers and practitioners can prevent a gap in treatment from occurring in those moments between a person's departure from a prison or jail and his or her commencement of community-based treatment, while supervised and supported by community corrections officers.

Research Highlights

Recommendations

  1. Prepare a summary health record containing information about important medical problems, prior diagnostic studies, allergies, and medications for each person released from prison or jail prior to his or her release.
  2. Connect prisoners to treatment and health care providers in the community prior to their release to prevent gaps in treatment and services.
  3. Provide prisoners receiving medications with a sufficient interim supply of essential medications upon their discharge into the community.
  4. Educate people in prison and jail about continuity of care and provide them with the summary health record and other important medical records prior to discharge.

Related Policy Statements

 Our Publications

How and Why Medicaid Matters for People with Serious Mental Illness Released from Jail

Hundreds of thousands of people with mental illness are released from jail each year. Without continuity of care, they are likely to be reincarcerated. Enrollment in Medicaid increases access to treatment for people with mental illness released from jail, who typically lack other means to pay for those services.