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A Practical Guide to 
Community Forensic Social Work 

Second Chance
Social Work

Welcome

This site offers a practical guide for community forensic social work (CFSW). If you are a social worker in this field, working with justice-impacted individuals in community settings, or are interested in learning about CFSW. This site offers a practical guide covering ethics, practice, supervision, and more. 

Why Does CFSW Matter?

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Data from the Prison Policy Initiative show that the majority of people under correctional control in the United States are not incarcerated but living in the community under probation or parole supervision.

 

In fact, the community-supervised population is nearly twice the size of the incarcerated population.

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Mass Judical Control (Document).jpg
5.5 Million under
Judicial control 
1,936,000 
35.2%
Incarcerated
Community Supervision
3,570,000
64.8%

About CFSW 

So, what is community forensic social work? In short, community forensic social work involves working with individuals who are justice-impacted. This means a person could be on probation, parole, pre-trial, or involved with the court system. 

Reentry 

Reentry is more than just returning home from incarceration. It is a complex process that looks different for each individual. There are basic things everyone needs, but also there are finer details that often go unnoticed 

In Practice

Community forensic social workers operate in various settings. Each setting has its own unique challenges, but no matter the setting, the focus should always remain person-centered and recovery-oriented. 

Mental Health 

Mental health is prominent in CFSW. The United States prison system has been considered the largest de facto provider of mental health services in the United States. Continuity and of care are central to CFSW. 

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