Developing a Leisure Time Management Program to Aid Successful Transition to Community

Abstract

One area of focus in new federal guidelines for inmate reentry skills development is the ability to use leisure time for stress relief and development of positive relationships. A model program was developed at a federal prison to teach the use of leisure time activities for coping with various stressors during the difficult transition from incarceration to community. Based on initial offering course evaluation responses, the program was revised and offered again. Feedback from the second course offering evaluation and recommendations for design of leisure time programming in other facilities are discussed.