NCJ Number
89186
Journal
Bewaehrungshilfe Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: (1982) Pages: 357-364
Date Published
1982
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A program in Bremen, West Germany, trains and utilizes laypersons in volunteer work with inmates and ex-offenders, but its short-range success is not encouraging, since most client/volunteer relationships break up before the conclusion of parole.
Abstract
A total of 24 volunteers were interviewed to assess their effectiveness in promoting ex-offender social reintegration. It appears that volunteers tend to concentrate on officer work and other organizational duties in lieu of direct contact activities with clients. Furthermore, the lack of professional motivation makes volunteer work less committed and reliable. Relationships with the institution are not binding, mutual expectations fall short, and volunteers feel frustrated and unappreciated while the institutions consider volunteers unreliable. Within 1.5 years of becoming involved, only 16 of the 24 volunteer respondents still identified with the program. Volunteers should not be assigned to hardcore criminals or problematic juvenile cases that require professional counseling expertise. Despite the discouraging experiences of volunteers dropping out, losing contact with their assigned parolees, or having the relationship terminate with their clients' recidivism one volunteer did see two clients through parole. Involvement of volunteers should continue because it constitutes a citizen-ex-offender contact with potential to effect positive attitude changes and enhance reintegration chances. A total of 25 references are given.