The present Introductory Handbook on the Prevention of Recidivism and the Social Reintegration of Offenders is part of a series of practical tools developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to support countries in preventing
crime, implementing criminal justice reforms and strengthening the rule of law. These tools are meant to assist them in implementing United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice.1 The Introductory Handbook emphasizes the crucial importance of effective programmes and measures to supervise and assist offenders and support their social reintegration for the prevention of recidivism. Incarcerated offenders face some very real challenges at the time of their release, and communities become unsafe when offenders with high risk and needs are released without adequate preparation, supervision or support.