RECREATION AND THE YOUTHFUL AND ADULT OFFENDERS (FROM RECREATION FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS, 2ND EDITION, 1977, BY SESSIONS AND STEIN)

• NCJ Number: 61111
• Author(s): M HORMACHEA; C HORMACHEA
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 28 pages
• Corporate Author: Holbrook Press
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THE ROLE OF RECREATION IN CORRECTIONS, PROGRAMMING FOR RECREATION IN PRISON, RECREATION IN PRERELEASE CENTERS AND HALFWAY HOUSES, AND RECREATIONAL STAFF MANPOWER NEEDS ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

TO HELP THE OFFENDER ADJUST WITHIN THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, AS WELL AS TO PREPARE HIM FOR RELEASE, MOST PRISONS MAINTAIN CERTAIN TREATMENT STAFF, INCLUDING CHAPLAINS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, TEACHERS, COUNSELORS, AND OTHER PERSONNEL. RECREATION IS A VALUABLE REHABILITATIVE TOOL AND THE RECREATIONAL DIRECTOR SHOULD BE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE TREATMENT TEAM. ALTHOUGH SPORTS TEND TO BE THE MAJOR FORMS OF LEISURE ACTIVITIES FOUND IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, THEY ARE NOT THE ONLY BENEFICIAL ACTIVITIES. A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM SHOULD OFFER THE INMATE A CHOICE OF LEISURE ACTIVITIES. EQUIPMENT, FACILITIES, SUPPLIES, AND PERSONNEL FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SHOULD COMPRISE A PART OF THE INSTUTIONAL BUDGET; PROPER ATTENTION SHOULD BE DEVOTED TO SAFETY AND SECURITY FACTORS. PROGRAMMING SHOULD INVOLVE A WIDE VARIETY OF CHOICES SUCH AS MOVIES; TEAM, INDIVIDUAL, AND COMBATIVE SPORTS; CULTURAL ACTIVITIES; ARTS AND CRAFTS; MUSIC, INCLUDING PARTICIPATION IN INMATE ORCHESTRAS AND COMBOS; TELEVISION AND RADIO; WRITING; CELEBRATION OF SPECIAL EVENTS; AND SOCIAL GAMES, SUCH AS CARDS AND CHECKERS. PRERELEASE CENTERS AND HALFWAY HOUSES OFFER SPECIAL PROBLEMS FOR THE RECREATION PLANNER PRIMARILY BECAUSE THEY LACK STAFF AND FUNDING. THE IMPORTANCE OF LEISURE ACTIVITY AT THIS STAGE IS EMPHASIZED BECAUSE THE NEWLY RELEASED PRISONER MAY BE RELUCTENT TO MOVE AHEAD AND MAY REQUIRE ENCOURAGEMENT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIS NEW FREEDOM. PART OF THIS ENCOURAGEMENT CAN COME IN THE FORM OF USING LEISURE TIME CONSTRUCTIVELY. MANPOWER NEEDS IN THIS AREA WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT OF THE INMATE HIMSELF AND OBTAINING RESOURCES FROM LOCAL AND STATE DEPARTMENTS OF RECREATION. REFERENCES NOTES, SUGGESTED READINGS, AND SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED IN THE ARTICLE. (LWM)