ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on reentry programs for offenders who have a variety of special needs. It reviews the reentry and reintegration process. The chapter discusses the process to specific offender populations who have unique and/or complex treatment needs. It examines how reentry programs effectively address special needs offenders and strategies to reduce the likelihood of their future offending. Of all the offender groups, the sex offender population is most controversial when considering reentry and reintegration initiatives. The chapter shows that reentry and reintegration of offenders with special needs has received significant attention from local, state, and federal levels of government as well as many religious-based and grass roots level organizations. The offenders-turned-elderly-in-prison has spent most of their adult life in lockdown and has long criminal histories. In many respects, the issues associated with mentally ill offenders have less to do with their threat to the community and more to do with their abnormal behavior.
