NCJ Number
63982
Journal
BEWAEHRUGSHILFE Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (1979) Pages: 145-159
Date Published
1979
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THE STRUCTURE, FUNCTION, AND PROBLEMS OF A FREIBURG, WEST GERMANY, CENTER THAT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO NEWLY RELEASED CONVITS ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
RECENT LAW REFORMS HAVE NOT MODIFIED THE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS WHICH FURNISH POSTRELEASE ASSISTANCE TO EX-CONVICTS. THE FREIBURG CENTER, WHICH HAS BEEN THE MODEL FOR MANY OTHER CENTERS SINCE ITS FOUNDING BY STUDENTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, PROBATION OFFICERS, LAWYERS, AND ACADEMICS; PRISON GUARDS AND WORKERS ARE A SMALL MINORITY. RECIPIENTS OF AID COME FROM PRISON THROUGHOUT THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC, ARE HIGHLY MOBILE, ARE BETWEEN 30 AND 35 YEARS OF AGE, AND ARRIVE WITHIN 1 MONTH OF RELEASE AT THE CENTER WITHOUT MONEY, CLOTHING, HOUSING, OR PAPERS. PERSONNEL CONSISTS OF ONE SOCIAL WORKER AND ONE SOCIAL PEDAGOGUE, SEVERAL SOCIAL-WORK STUDENTS GAINING PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, AND 12 TO 15 VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE USUALLY STUDENTS. AREAS OF ASSISTANCE INCLUDE (1) MATERIAL AID SUCH AS OBTAINING JOBS, HOUSING, AND EMPLOYMENT, AS WELL AS FINANCIAL AID; (2) SPECIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF COUNSELING, SOCIAL CONTACTS, TRAINING IN SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND DRUG PROGRAMS; (3) SHORT AND MEDIUM-TERM TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR EX-CONVICTS WITH SPECIAL ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS; AND (4) FOLLOWUPS OF RELEASED PRISONERS WHO HAVE RECEIVED VARIOUS TYPES OF AID. PROBLEMS ARE LACK OF COORDINATION OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING, ALMOST TOTAL ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES TO INITIAL HELP SO THAT NOTHING IS LEFT TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS OF LATER STAGES, DAMAGES AND DISRUPTIONS BY INDIVIDUALS IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, AND LACK OF TIME FOR FOLLOWUPS ON CLIENTS. PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS ARE ADDITION OF ANOTHER FULL-TIME SOCIAL WORKER, FURTHER TRAINING OF VOLUNTEERS, AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EX-CONVICTS. TABLES, NOTES, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE SUPPLIED. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)