NCJ Number
12245
Journal
PROBATION AND PAROLE Issue: 5 Dated: (SUMMER 1973) Pages: 21-32
Date Published
1973
Length
12 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIENCES AND BEHAVIOR OF MEN RELEASED FROM CANADIAN PRISONS AND AN INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPACT OF PRISON, PAROLE, AND AFTER-CARE ON THAT BEHAVIOR.
Abstract
THE SUBJECTS FOR THIS STUDY WERE 423 MEN RELEASED FROM ONTARIO FEDERAL PENITENTIARIES ON PAROLE OR ON UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE AT EXPIRATION OF SENTENCE. THE DATA WERE GATHERED THROUGH GROUP INTERVIEWS, INSTITUTIONAL FILES, PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS, AND INTENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRESS OF THE EX-PRISONERS DURING THEIR FIRST TWELVE MONTHS IN THE COMMUNITY. EXAMINATION OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PAROLEES AND DISCHARGEES SHOWS THE AGE DISTRIBUTION TO BE THE SAME FOR EACH GROUP. PAROLEES OFTEN HAD LESS DIFFICULTY FINDING JOBS, POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF THE ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO THEM BY PAROLE SUPERVISORS. MORE DISCHARGEES THAN PAROLEES ADMITTED TO GETTING DRUNK UPON RELEASE. THERE WAS A LARGER RECIDIVISM RATE FOR DISCHARGEES THAN FOR PAROLEES. IN GENERAL THE EX-PRISONERS DID NOT SEE THEMSELVES AS DELIBERATE CRIMINALS. THE MAJORITY EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES IN FINDING JOBS AND ACCOMMODATIONS AND IN REESTABLISHING FAMILY AND SOCIAL TIES.