Pre- and post-release social work interventions and practices with releasees – a literature review

This literature review focuses on finding social work practices that have proven successful in terms of desistance and reintegration into society. In this context, both professional social work practices and social support provided by other actors were examined. In this scoping literature review, the data consist of peer-reviewed articles, which were searched using the PRISMA protocol. The data were synthesized using theory-driven realistic synthesis. Findings indicate that social work among people who have a history of crime is holistic, multidimensional and multiprofessional work. Intensive and tailored individual support, and strength and wellbeing-based interventions and methods anchored in communities are important.