Pathfinders recognizes that the learning and effort that criminal justice-involved adults make to live pro-social and crime-free lives would be jeopardized if they were abandoned at the prison gate. Research indicates that if those transitioning from prison are unable to secure drug- and alcohol-free housing, livable-wage employment and effective treatment, and to connect with pro-social family and community members, they are likely to re-offend and return to prison. For this reason, Pathfinders engages in strategies aimed at helping former inmates succeed once they return to local communities.

While Pathfinders serves the Portland metro area with its Centers for Family Success (in conjunction with the Children’s Justice Alliance), it cannot at the present time directly provide services to those who return to other communities throughout the state. Therefore, the Pathfinders staff involved with transitional assistance nurture relationships with existing service-providers throughout the state; they have created strong partnerships with agencies and departments that share the mission of breaking the cycle of criminality.