HUMAN BRIDGE - A VIEW OF THE ROLE OF VOLUNTEERS

• NCJ Number: 48361
• Author(s): R A KLEIN
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 0 pages
• Sale Source: Harper and Row Media; Not Available Through National Institute of Justice/NCJRS Document Loan Program
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. 15 MINUTES, 16MM COLOR, 1975

Annotation

THIS FILM STRESSES THE NEED FOR VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY AND PERSONAL SERVICES FOR INMATES AND OFFENDERS ON PROBATION AND PAROLE IN ORDER TO HELP THEM REENTER THE COMMUNITY AS RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS.

Abstract

CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP IN MANY AREAS OF INMATE REHABILITATION, ESPECIALLY TO HELP THEM RETURN TO A NORMAL LIFE WHEN THEY ARE RELEASED. SOMETHING AS EASY AS WRITING LETTERS TO INMATES TO ENABLE THEM TO MAINTAIN SOME CONTACT WITH THE COMMUNITY WHILE THEY ARE IN PRISON HELPS. PAROLEES MEET WITH COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO TALK ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL POSSIBILITIES AND TO RECEIVE TUTORING BY VOLUNTEERS IN AREAS OF EDUCATIONAL NEED. MANY COMMUNITIES HAVE PROBATION VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS AND PAROLEE VOLUNTEER AID SERVICES WHERE OFFENDERS CAN TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT THEIR JOB AND HOW OTHERS FEEL ABOUT THEM AS EX-OFFENDERS. IT GIVES THEM A ONE-TO-ONE RELATIONSHIP WITH A RESPONSIBLE PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY. THE MAIN OBJECT OF THESE PROGRAMS IS TO KEEP THE OFFENDER FROM COMMITTING ANOTHER CRIME AND RETURNING TO PRISON. MANY STUDIES HAVE FOUND THAT THE BEST WAY TO REHABILITATE OFFENDERS IS THROUGH COMMUNITY CONTACT. (BAC)