Integrated transitional and release planning programs and initiatives

Individuals transitioning from custody back into the community may face several challenges such as securing housing, income, employment and access to health care and other important services.

To support transitional and release planning, probation and correctional officers work together to connect individuals who are at risk for reoffending with community resources upon their release from custody. Collectively, our staff develop unique case plans to help support these individuals to break the cycle of reoffending.

Individuals must be willingly engaged in the process to help them connect with appropriate living arrangements, consider job opportunities and access supports in the community, such as mental health and addictions services.

The following integrated release planning programs and interventions are available at B.C. provincial correctional centres:

• Integrated Transitional Release Planning (ITRP) brings together correctional officers and probation officers to develop a comprehensive multi-level release plan for individuals who have been identified as medium or high-risk to reoffend to ensure appropriate resources are in place to support public safety and a successful transition of the individual back into the community.
  • For more information, see Integrated Offender Management - (IOM) The Case for Working Together and the Integrated Offender Management Program Impact Analysis – Research Report.
• Integrated Transitional Release Planning and Homelessness Intervention Planning (ITRP-HIP) identifies individuals who are homeless, or at risk of being homeless on release from custody. The ITRP-HIP program includes partnerships between BC Corrections, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, BC Housing, health authorities, and community agencies.
• Integrated Release Planning (IRP) engages with individuals who do not fully meet the ITRP criteria yet still require enhanced release planning supports.
• Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative (ReVOII) brings together police, dedicated prosecutors and probation officers to strengthen monitoring and enforcement. ReVOII is designed to work with local partners and other existing programs through collaborative information sharing, such as situation tables and Assertive Community Treatment teams, to provide enhanced release planning that connects individuals to tailored support services.
• Community Transition Teams (CTTs) are operated by the Provincial Health Services Authority and support individuals with acute mental health or substance use needs. CTTs include social workers, nurses, peer support workers and Indigenous patient navigators, who provide substance use or mental health treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and connections to psychiatric, clinical, and social supports. The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions (MMHA) expanded the number of CTTs in October 2022 to offer support services to all ten B.C. provincial correctional centres. The capacity of each team was also expanded, by adding new health care and support workers, and by tripling the length of service CTT’s provide from 30 to 90 days to help individuals connect to ongoing supports and services within their communities. Visit BC Mental Health & Substance use Services – Community Transition Teams for more information.