Developing an evidence-based, individualized strategy for supervision in the community prior to an individual's release is critical to promoting public safety and reducing the likelihood that the individual will return to prison or jail. The process of developing the supervision strategy should begin as soon as possible following the decision to release, in jurisdictions in which release is discretionary, or from three months to a year prior to anticipated release. (See Policy Statement 17, Advising the Releasing Authority, and Policy Statement 18, Release Decision.) This policy statement describes the elements that should characterize supervision strategy planning, from the composition of the team that should be charged with the development of the supervision strategy, to the involvement of public safety officers in the community, to the manner in which the established strategy should be communicated to the individual who will be supervised. While the development of the supervision strategy should be completed prior to release, members of the team should retain some input and accountability during the supervision period, during which the strategy should be re-assessed and modified as necessary. (See Policy Statement 26, Implementation of the Supervision Strategy, for more on the post-release period.)