Once the contents of the behavioral contracts are explained, it then serves as an agreement between staff and offender. Both parties have their duties identified and each party knows the responsibilities of the other. It is important that staff take the extra time to go over the behavioral contract with offenders to eliminate any ambiguity.

Offenders need to be informed of every aspect of the contract to ensure that they do not fail to comply because they did not understand certain requirements in their behavioral contract. Behavioral contracts assist staff in keeping the offenders compliant by informing the offenders of what is expected of them and providing them with the responses should they fail. Additionally, behavioral contracts help staff increase the responsibility levels in the offenders under supervision.