NCJ Number
53934
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THREE APPROACHES TO MITIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UNEMPLOYMENT AND GENERAL DELINQUENCY ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING WORK SUPPORTED PROJECTS, RESTITUTION, AND A REHABILITATION PROGRAM FACILITATING CAREER TRAINING.
Abstract
SUPPORTIVE WORK PROGRAMS, LIKE THOSE BEING WORKED OUT BY THE VERA INSTITUTE IN THE U.S., ENGLAND, AND FRANCE, HAVE PROVEN SUCCESSFUL. VERA STARTED CORPORATIONS AND POOLED WELFARE MONIES THAT WOULD HAVE GONE TO PEOPLE FOR NOT WORKING. THE MONIES WERE COMBINED TO FORM A WAGE POOL AND IN ORDER TO DRAW THEIR 'SALARIES,' PEOPLE WERE REQUIRED TO WORK AT COMMUNITY JOBS, PROVIDING AID TO ALCOHOLICS AND GERIATRIC PATIENTS AND DELIVERING MESSAGES DURING A NEW YORK CITY POSTAL STRIKE. ANOTHER EFFECTIVE APPROACH INVOLVED YOUNG AND ADULT OFFENDERS COMPENSATING THEIR VICTIMS OUT OF EARNINGS FROM PUBLICLY SUBSIDIZED JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY OR PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYMENT SECURED THROUGH JOB COUNSELING AND PLACEMENT INITIATIVES. HOWEVER, THE PREFERRED APPROACH IS THE NEW CAREERS PROGRAM, WHICH COMBINED VICTIM COMPENSATION WITH EFFECTIVE REHABILITATION AND CAREER TRAINING. THE SCHEME ENABLES OFFENDERS TO PERFORM SOME USEFUL COMMUNITY SERVICE, MAKE AMENDS TO THEIR VICTIMS, ASSIST IN THEIR OWN REHABILITATION BY PARTICIPATING AS A QUASI AND LATER FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBER, AND LEARN A NEW CAREER. REFERENCES ARE FOOTNOTED. (KBL)