NCJ Number
68746
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS FINAL REPORT DISCUSSES THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE OFFENDER SUBSIDY SUPPORT PROGRAM WHICH WAS FUNDED BY A $200,000 GRANT FOR LEAA TO THE OREGON LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNCIL.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM TESTED THREE DIFFERENT METHODS OF PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO OFFENDERS WITH A DEMONSTRATED NEED, WHETHER THAT ASSISTANCE WAS NEEDED WITHIN AN INSTITUTION OR FOR ACTIVITIES ON THE OUTSIDE AFTER RELEASE OR WHILE ON PROBATION OR PAROLE. THE THREE FACETS OF THE PROGRAM WERE A CASH SUBSIDY POOL, A CREDIT UNION ORGANIZED AND OPERATED BY OFFENDERS, AND A GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM OPERATED THROUGH REGULAR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. THE CREDIT UNION HAS SUCCESSFULLY MET THE NEEDS OF THE OFFENDERS, AND A GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM OPERATED THROUGH REGULAR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. THE CREDIT UNION HAS SUCCESSFULLY MET THE NEEDS OF THE OFFENDER AND EX-OFFENDER, WITH DEPOSITS TOTALING $100,000 IN 2 YEARS. HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN A STAFF DEFICIENCY DUE TO A LACK OF VOLUNTEERS. THE MAJOR SOURCE OF STAFFING HAS OCCURRED THROUGH THE COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ACT (CETA) AND PRIVATE MONIES, BUT THESE FUNDS BECAME EXHAUSTED ON MARCH 31, 1978. FOR THE CREDIT UNION TO ATTAIN FULL OPERATIONAL INDEPENDENCE, SHARE DEPOSITS MUST REACH APPROXIMATELY $450,000. IN THE LOAN PROGRAM, THE LOAN VALUE TO BE GUARANTEED IS DEPOSITED WITH THE STATE TREASURER, WHILE APPLICATIONS ARE PRESENTED TO THE LENDING INSTITUTION OF THE APPLICANT'S CHOICE. RECOVERY FROM A DEFAULTED LOAN MAY BE MADE FROM THE TREASURER, WHOSE OFFICE AND THE REVENUE DEPARTMENT PURSUE THE COLLECTION OF THE DEFAULT FROM THE LOAN RECIPENT. THE LOAN PROGRAM HAS 41 GRANTED LOANS, EXCEEDING THE OBJECTIVE OF 40, FOR A TOTAL OF $25,284 WITH NO DEFAULTS DURING THE FIRST OPERATING YEAR. THE CASH SUBSIDY POOL FUNDS WERE DISBURSED TO PAY FOR RENT, UTILITIES, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION, CLOTHING, INCIDENTALS, AND TOOLS FOR A TOTAL OF OVER $57,000. PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED 471 MEN AND 44 WOMEN WITH AN AVERAGE AGE OF 30. THE REPORT CONCLUDES THAT SOME TYPE OF IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE CASH ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF CORRECTIONAL CLIENTS.