NCJ Number
49467
Journal
Bewaehrungshilfe Volume: 25 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 107-115
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE REPORT OF A PROBATION OFFICER DESCRIBES THE EXPERIENCES AND PROBLEMS OF A CONVICT PAROLED AFTER 21 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER.
Abstract
THE PAROLE WAS ARRANGED AFTER A LONG CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE PROBATION OFFICER. PROBLEMS BEFORE ACTUAL RELEASE INCLUDED INSISTENCE OF THE CONVICT'S SISTER THAT HE WAS INNOCENT, REFUSAL OF A PREVIOUS SUPERVISOR TO VOUCH FOR HIM, DENIAL OF THE FIRST APPEAL, AND DIFFICULTY IN FINDING WORK. ADJUSTMENT TO NEW FREEDOM WAS COMPLICATED BY HIS ATTEMPTS TO CULTIVATE THE IMAGE OF A LADY'S MAN (IN THE PROCESS REVEALING HIS INEXPERIENCE), BY HIS LACK OF SUCCESS IN FINDING A FEMALE COMPANION, AND BY HIS INVOLVEMENT IN A FIGHT WITH A FOREIGN WORKER. HIS SITUATION IMPROVED WHEN HE PURCHASED HIS OWN CAR, JOINED A FOOTBALL CLUB, OBTAINED A BETTER POSITION, BECAME INDEPENDENT OF HIS SISTER, AND EVENTUALLY MARRIED A DIVORCEE WITH TWO CHILDREN. DESPITE APPARENT SUCCESS AND DILIGENCE IN ANOTHER NEW JOB, THE PAROLEE PROVED OVERBURDENED BY HIS RESPONSIBILITIES AND BECOME TRYANNICAL AND ABUSIVE TO HIS FAMILY, SO THAT THE MARRIAGE BROKE UP AFTER COMPLEX MACHINATIONS AND MUCH FIGHTING. EVEN THOUGH HIS WIFE TRIED TO RUIN HIS REPUTATION BEFORE LEAVING, THE PAROLEE WAS ABLE TO RETAIN THE SUPPORT OF HIS COWORKERS. SHORTLY AFTER THESE EVENTS, HE WAS GRANTED COMPLETE PARDON FOR THE REST OF THE PAROLE PERIOD BECAUSE OF HIS SUCCESS PROFESSIONALLY AND BECAUSE OF HIS SELF-CONTROL IN THE UNCOMFORTABLE, IRRITATING, SITUATION SURROUNDING HIS DIVORCE. THE PATROLEE CONTINUED TO WORK EFFECTIVELY AND TO ENJOY SPORTS; HE WAS ABLE TO BUILD A SATISFACTORY EXISTENCE WITHOUT BECOMING INVOLVED IN ANY FURTHER RELATIONSHIPS. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)