NCJ Number
45613
Editor(s)
S ROYCE
Date Published
1976
Length
33 pages
Annotation
SERVICES IN COUNTY PRISONS SHOULD HELP INMATES TO ADJUST TO INCARCERATION AND HELP THEM TO PREPARE FOR THEIR RELEASE. AVAILABLE SERVICES ARE LISTED AND FORMS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
SINCE OFFENDERS IN COUNTY PRISONS ARE TYPICALLY NOT YET HARDENED, OR CAREER CRIMINALS, REHABILITATION SHOULD BE POSSIBLE AND SHOULD RECEIVE A HIGH PRIORITY. HOWEVER, THE BRIEF SENTENCES IN COUNTY JAILS MAKE THIS DIFFICULT. DESPITE THE IMMEDIATE HIGH COST OF REHABILITATION PROGRAMS, IT IS STILL MORE COST EFFECTIVE IN THE LONG TERM TO REHABILITATE A PRISONER. SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL AND COUNSELING PROGRAMS ARE DESCRIBED IN REFERENCE TO COMMON INMATE PROBLEMS SUCH AS POOR COMMUNICATION SKILLS OR BEING EDUCATIONALLY DISADVANTAGED. PROGRAMS MUST ALWAYS BE CONDUCTED IN A MANNER THAT DOES NOT COMPROMISE SECURITY OR ENDANGER STAFF. MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CAN BE INVOLVED THROUGH PUBLICITY, BY PLANNED INVOLVEMENT OF PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS, AND BY PERSONAL CONTACT, SUCH AS IN ARRANGING JOB PLACEMENT FOR A CANDIDATE FOR WORK RELEASE. EDUCATION SHOULD EMPHASIZE THE LANGUAGE ARTS. SAMPLE COURSES ARE LISTED WITH ANNOTATIONS CONCERNING REALISTIC APPROACHES AND GOALS; FOR EXAMPLE, CREATIVE WRITING IS A GOOD MEANS OF EXPRESSION FOR STUDENTS, BUT CONTENT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TECHNIQUE. IN ADDITION TO DEVELOPING NECESSARY VOCATIONAL SKILLS, COURSES SHOULD HELP STUDENTS ACQUIRE SKILLS SUCH AS PUNCTUALITY, WHICH ARE HELPFUL IN FINDING AND KEEPING JOBS. THE JEWISH EVALUATION AND VOCATIONAL SYSTEM IS DESCRIBED. THE COMMUNITY TO WHICH THE PRISONER WILL RETURN MUST BE INVOLVED WITH THE PROGRAM TO ENABLE THE TRAINING TO HAVE A PRACTICAL EFFECT. COUNSELING IN PRISON IS OFTEN CRISIS-ORIENTED, AND IS NEEDED TO PREVENT SUICIDES AND TO HELP AN INMATE FACE THE LOSS OF FREEDOM. A QUARANTINE PERIOD OF COUNSELING AND ORIENTATION IS SUGGESTED FOR NEW INMATES. THE COMMUNITY IS MOST LIKELY TO TAKE NOTICE OF THE PRISON WHEN IT IS IN CONTACT WITH WORK RELEASE PRISONERS, OR OUTMATES. THE MEDIA COVERAGE GIVEN TO PROJECT HOPE AT LANCASTER COUNTY PRISON (PA) IS DESCRIBED. COMMUNITY CONTACT NOT ONLY ENABLES INDIVIDUAL PRISONERS TO FIND JOBS WHEN RELEASED, BUT IMPROVE CHANCES FOR FUNDING OF THE PROGRAMS. INSTITUTIONS AND AGENCIES INVOLVED WITH PROJECT HOPE DURING ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION ARE LISTED, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND AGENCIES, AND STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES SUCH AS THE VETERAN'S ADMINISTRATION. SPECIFIC FUNDING SOURCES ARE ALSO LISTED. (MPL)