NCJ Number
65487
Date Published
1979
Length
16 pages
Annotation
ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE OFFENDERS AID AND REHABILITATION SERVICES OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA, INC. (OARS) DURING THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 1979 ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
DURING THE YEAR, PRISON VISITATION BY OARS WORKERS REMAINED THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK. SUCH VISITATIONS PROVIDE THE POINT OF INITIATING OTHER SERVICES WHICH ARE PROVIDED UPON RELEASE. REGULAR VISITS WERE MAINTAINED AT THE ADELAIDE GAOL, YATALA, WOMENS REHABILITATION CENTER, PORT AUGUSTA, AND CADELL FACILITIES. THE OARS SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM INVOLVED OVER 100 VISITS TO PRISONERS BY VOLUNTEER WORKERS. FAMILY WELFARE ACTIVITES FOCUSED ON PROVIDING COUNSELING, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCY FINANCIAL SUPPORT, AND CLOTHING TO FAMILIES OF OFFENDERS. THE YEAR MARKED INCREASING INVOLVEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY WITH THE OPENING OF THE CHRISTIES BEACH AND PORT AUGUSTA FACILITIES, AS WELL AS THE HOMELESS PERSONS SHELTER, ADCOCK HOUSE. A TOTAL OF 481 PEOPLE WERE GIVEN 15,582 NIGHTS OF ACCOMMODATION IN OARS HOUSES DURING THE YEAR FOLLOWING THEIR RELEASE FROM PRISON. THE ANNUAL MEETING OF OARS WAS HELD ON AUGUST 16, 1978, AND PLANNING CONTINUED FOR THE HOSTING OF THE NEXT INTERNATIONAL PRISONERS AID CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN ADELAIDE IN AUGUST 1980. FUND RAISING FROM THE SALE OF SECOND HAND CLOTHING CONTINUED TO SUPPLY A VITAL PART OF OARS INCOME. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE YEAR WAS MARKED BY FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY, OARS ACHIEVED A GREAT DEAL IN ITS EFFORTS TO AID OFFENDERS IN RESUMING NORMAL LIVES UPON RELEASE. PHOTOGRAPHS AND DATA ARE PROVIDED IN THE REPORT. (LWM)