NCJ Number
129470
Date Published
1989
Length
136 pages
Annotation
This study examines the experiences of the participants in a halfway housing and aftercare program provided by a Christian organization, the Finnish Street Mission Association, to offenders released from prison in Finland.
Abstract
Data came from interviews with 20 residents of halfway housing; 6 persons evicted due to alcohol use, dissolute lifestyles, or nonpayment of rent and 5 persons who decided to move out. Each participant was assigned a support person, but the aftercare was voluntary for both the participant and the support person. The analysis showed that the support activity involved many conflicting elements and that the program was not able to completely overcome the disadvantages associated with professional social welfare. Thus, residents who were meek and verbally talented had a better chance of being selected for support, and the potential for being evicted put pressure on residents to conceal their difficulties in life. Residents' feelings of satisfaction varied; some were extremely satisfied and some considered the halfway house to be a continuation of prison. In addition, some support persons viewed prisoners as a homogeneous group and regarded problems like homelessness to be due to personal problems such as the use of alcohol. Results suggest the need for halfway housing to avoid unnecessary restrictions and to further examine the meaning of voluntary support. Footnotes