More than 14,000 offenders are released from state prison in New Jersey each year. Over the next five years, an estimated 70,000 offenders will leave state prison to their communities. More than half of released offenders will be rearrested for a new crime within nine months, and many will return to prison within three years. The cost associated with high recidivism rates range from the incalculable cost to communities, families and victims affected by crime to ballooning budgets needed for the incarceration of offenders. In an effort to combat this pressing public safety problem, the New Jersey Department of Corrections established the Office of Transitional Services.

The goal of the Office of Transitional Services is to implement a seamless continuum of care for offenders utilizing cost-effective, proven practices system wide that increase offenders abilities and motivation to practice responsible, crime-free behavior. The Office of Transitional Services has oversight over the transitional and social services programs within the department. The office has developed partnerships with federal, state and local agencies for creating linkages to resources that provide support to returning offenders. Services are coordinated in four key interrelated areas: employment and economic stability; mental, physical and spiritual health; housing; and family stability. Offenders are provided with the tools necessary to become productive members of the community.