NCJ Number
56699
Date Published
1977
Length
7 pages
Annotation
YOUTH AND EX-OFFENDER EMPLOYMENT, CURRENT TRENDS IN SENTENCING AND PAROLE, REHABILITATION, AND PREPARING INMATES FOR REENTRY INTO SOCIETY ARE BRIEFLY TREATED.
Abstract
THE PERSPECTIVES PRESENTED ARE BASED ON THE AUTHOR'S EXPERIENCE IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IT IS APPARENTLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DEVISE A GENERAL FORMAT FOR EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND EX-OFFENDERS. THE MOTIVATIONAL LEVELS, VALUES, AND MATURITY LEVELS OF ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL CLIENTS WILL AFFECT THE SUCCESS OF ANY PROGRAM. THE QUALITY OF STAFF LEADERSHIP IS ALSO A VARIABLE THAT CANNOT BE REPLICATED. A MAJOR BLOCK TO THE SUCCESSFUL ADJUSTMENT OF EX-OFFENDERS WITHIN SOCIETY, PARTICULARLY YOUTH, IS AN APPARENT INABILITY FOR SELF-CRITICISM AND REALISTIC APPRAISAL OF RELATIONSHIPS. THERE ALSO IS A RELUCTANCE TO ACCEPT THAT THE ACQUIRING OF MATERIAL GOODS AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES IS A FREQUENTLY LONG-TERM, EVOLVING PROCESS THAT REQUIRES SELF-DISCIPLINE AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. CURRENT TRENDS IN SENTENCING AND CORRECTIONS POINT TOWARD SHORTER, MANDATORY PRISON SENTENCES, WITHOUT PAROLE, AND A REDUCTION IN THE USE OF IMPRISONMENT IN FAVOR OF DIVERSIONARY AND PROBATIONARY COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. THE REHABILITATION MODEL FOR SENTENCING APPEARS ON THE WAY OUT, WITH FIXED PERIODS OF STATE SUPERVISION PRESCRIBED INDEPENDENT OF REHABILITATION PERFORMANCE. REHABILITATION SHOULD REMAIN AS VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES MADE AVAILABLE TO THE OFFENDER BY CHOICE. SUCCESSFUL REENTRY OF EX-OFFENDERS INTO SOCIETY MUST INVOLVE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE EX-OFFENDER THROUGH A WILLINGNESS TO HIRE AND RELATE TO EX-OFFENDERS AS PERSONS OF WORTH. A PREVALENT CAUSAL FACTOR IN DELINQUENCY HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE AN INABILITY TO READ. A MASSIVE NATIONAL PROGRAM TO TEACH CHILDREN TO READ, BEGINNING AT THE AGES OF 2 AND 3, IS SUGGESTED. SUCCESS IN READING IS BELIEVED ESSENTIAL IN PREVENTING EVENTUAL DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL. (RCB)