Voluntary after-care support is offered to all prisoners after their release through the probation and welfare service. Released offenders are encouraged and facilitated to link up with community based agencies dealing with educational and vocational training, alternative accommodation, job placement and substance abuse treatment. Many of these services are provided by voluntary bodies and community groups. Some operate under the aegis of the probation and welfare service and others accept referrals of offenders who are supported financially in their work by the Department through the probation and welfare service. The national development plan will also, through prison work programmes such as the Connect project, make a significant contribution to preparing offenders for employment. In addition, the Linkage programme advances employment placements.