NCJ Number
15326
Date Published
1974
Length
146 pages
Annotation
DESCRIBES THE SITUATION THAT CONFRONTS THE RELEASED OFFENDER AS HE LEAVES THE RESTRICTED WORLD OF THE PRISON AND SEEKS TO ESTABLISH A MEANINGFUL LIFE FOR HIMSELF IN THE OUTISDE COMMUNITY.
Abstract
THE STUDY DEALS WITH THE PROBLEM AND ISSUES OF COMMUNITY REENTRY AS THEY ARE EXPERIENCED BY THE OFFENDER HIMSELF AND SHAPED BY THE INSTITUTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PROCEDURES SURROUNDING RELEASE. IT IS BASED ON THE PERSONAL ACCOUNTS OF THIRTY-FOUR YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS AND THEIR MOTHERS, GATHERED IN INTENSIVE PERSONAL INTERVIEWS FROM A WEEK BEFORE RELEASE TO FOUR WEEKS AFTER RELEASE FROM A STATE REFORMATORY. THE STUDY CONCLUDES THAT THE RELEASED OFFENDER CONFRONTS A SITUATION AT RELEASE THAT VIRTUALLY ENSURES HIS FAILURE, PARTICULARLY IF FAILURE IS MEASURED NOT SIMPLY IN TERMS OF RECIDIVISM BUT IN TERMS OF THE ADEQUACY AND MEANINGFULNESS OF POSTRELEASE LIVES AS WELL. IT IS A SITUATION THAT GUARANTEES CONSIDERABLE PERSONAL TURMOIL, LIMITED ACCESS TO CONVENTIONAL SOCIAL ROLES, AND LITTLE CONTROL OVER PERSONAL DESTINY. THE STUDY FURTHER CONCLUDES THAT IT IS A SITUATION CREATED IN LARGE PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE PUBLIC AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING REENTRY (THE REFORMATORY, THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT, PROBATION AND PAROLE), AND THAT IT RAISES FAR MORE SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BEHAVIOR OF THESE AGENCIES THAN IT DOES ABOUT THE INTENTIONS AND PERSONAL LIMITATIONS OF THE INDIVIDUAL OFFENDER. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE THE ISSUES OF HEROIN RELAPSES DURING REENTRY AND THE PROBLEMS OF REENTERING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. INCLUDED ARE THE ACTUAL INTERVIEWS DONE WITH ONE RELEASEE AND HIS MOTHER AND A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH DESIGN.