Final answer:
Reentry preparations for offenders start several months before their release to effectively reduce recidivism and facilitate successful societal reintegration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reentry preparation typically begins several months prior to the offender's release. This early preparation is key to reduce the risk of recidivism by ensuring that the individual has a structured plan and support system in place. Reentry programs may include job training, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, and other forms of rehabilitation that are crucial for successful reintegration into society. Given the high costs associated with incarceration, which was $43,836 per year for federal prisoners as of 2021 in the U.S., more cost-effective and rehabilitative measures are essential. Such measures not only benefit the individual but also yield positive outcomes for the community by potentially decreasing future crime rates.