1. Helping the Family of InmatesAccording to available statistics, the number of people incarcerated in state and federal prisons in the United States of America is increasing every year. Estimates indicate a 2.5% increase in the number of prisoners in the United States compared to last year; suggests a number of 2245,000 inmates in all US prisons (Reuter). Such a rapid growth in the number of prisoners has several consequences. More prisons are built and more resources are devoted to this goal. Additionally, more prisoners are returning to their families and communities after serving their sentences. The planned return of ex-offenders to their families and communities can pose a significant challenge. Family members are often intimidated by the responsibility associated with ensuring the prisoner's return to a normal life after incarceration. Faced with this challenge, they turn to community-based programs for help. To meet the specific needs of this population, the nonprofit organization should rely on valuable research data in order to develop specific strategies targeted to the population. Examples of these strategies include assessing the needs and resources available in the community, carefully considering which interventions to implement, and incorporating a system that can analyze program effectiveness. The first strategy to be used by the non-profit organization (NPO) is to make a diagnosis of the current situation of the community. In other words, it means evaluating the needs and resources of the community. This step is important because within an economically disadvantaged community, families who have loved ones in prison are unable to guarantee continuous and regular maintenance...... middle of paper...... In summary, evaluation of community resources and needs along with the implementation of community-strengthening services are essential to the successful reintegration of prisoners into society. Additionally, by providing counseling to family and community members, some fears and concerns about reunification with prisoners may be reduced. The use of strategic measures such as these can be instrumental in aiding the rehabilitation of the prisoner upon his return to the community. Works CitedGaynes, Elizabeth Reentry: Helping Former Prisoners Return to Communities, LariatSolution ed, web 03 2012.Travis, Jeremy; McBride, C. Elizabeth; Solomon, Amy L. Family Left Behind: The Hidden CostOf Incarceration and Reentry, October 2003. Urban Institute web www.urban.org, March2012.