NCJ Number
213345
Journal
Criminology & Criminal Justice Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2006 Pages: 83-106
Date Published
February 2006
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This article explains the concept of "strengths-based" offender reintegration into the community after release from prison, and lessons are drawn from a case study of this approach.
Abstract
"Strengths-based" practices treat offenders as community assets rather than high-risk liabilities who must be restricted and guarded for protection of the community. Such an approach provides opportunities for ex-inmates to develop prosocial self-concepts within their own minds and in the perception of others. This is done by rewarding work that is helpful to others. The "strengths-based" approach to reintegration is based in the philosophy of restorative justice, which includes having offenders make amends for their crimes by making positive contributions to the community. The case study of this approach is from Great Britain. A partnership was formed between a Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and a low-security prison. When the CAB was unable to meet the high-level of demand for its services with its current volunteer staff, CAB managers approached prison managers with the idea of using inmates on temporary daytime release to serve as CAB volunteers. The pilot program began with two inmate volunteers, but quickly expanded to six. The prisoner volunteers worked full-time in the bureau (5 days a week). The volume of service to CAB clients increased significantly without any decline in standards or levels of client satisfaction. All of the prisoner volunteers interviewed believed the work was valuable in preparing them for employment, and some successfully applied for and have begun paid CAB work following their release. Although the prisoners involved were low-risk, the case study still confirms that some offenders can provide valuable service to the community and its residents while having positive behavior and self-concepts reinforced. 4 notes and 58 references