NCJ Number
8606
Date Published
1972
Length
24 pages
Annotation
NEEDS OF EX-OFFENDERS UPON RELEASE, AND THE PROBLEMS IN THE PRESENT DELIVERY OF PRERELEASE AND POSTRELEASE SERVICES.
Abstract
INTERVIEWS WERE HELD WITH MEN ABOUT TO BE PAROLED, PAROLEES, AND PAROLE VIOLATORS. THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT UNMET NEEDS ARE RELATED TO RECIDIVISM. THE RESULTS INDICATE THAT THE ONE YEAR SUCCESSFUL PAROLE GROUP HAD UNMET NEEDS IN FEWER AREAS THAN OTHER GROUPS, WHILE THE OPPOSITE WAS TRUE WITH PAROLE VIOLATORS, 85 PERCENT OF ALL MEN HAD EMPLOYMENT NEEDS SPECIFICALLY, VOCATIONAL TRAINING NEEDS, AND 66 PERCENT REQUIRED PERSONAL COUNSELING. 60 PERCENT EXPERIENCED SOCIAL-RECREATIONAL PROBLEMS, REFLECTIVE OF SOCIAL ISOLATION. OVER HALF OF THE MEN WERE UNLIKELY TO MAKE USE OF AGENCY ASSISTANCE- BECAUSE OF IGNORANCE OF AVAILABILITY, AND SUBCULTURE INFLUENCES WHICH DISCOURAGED PARTICIPATION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PRERELEASE AND POSTRELEASE SERVICES CAN BE BEST ORGANIZED AROUND A CASE MANAGER WHO CAN PROVIDE PERSONAL SUPPORT AND CONTINUITY DURING THE PERIOD OF TRANSITION BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. THE NEED IS NOT SO MUCH TO DEVELOP NEW RESOURCES, BUT TO USE EXISTING RESOURCES MORE EFFECTIVELY. AUTHOR MODIFIED