NCJ Number
64905
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES HAVE AN IMPORTANT AND MULTIFACETED ROLE TO PLAY IN THE SOCIAL REINTEGRATION OF INMATES.
Abstract
THE GOAL OF RESOCIALIZATION IS TO ENABLE EX-OFFENDERS TO LEAD A RESPONSIBLE LIFE WITHOUT CRIME. PREREQUISITES FOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THIS GOAL ARE THE RESTITUTION OF OFFENDERS' PERSONALITIES AND THE REESTABLISHMENT OF INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL STATUS. RESOCIALIZATION INVOLVES ALL AREAS OF OFFENDERS' LIVES, I.E., FAMILY, FINANCES, HOME, WORK, AND NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT PUBLIC WELFARE SERVICES ARE LEGALLY LIMITED IN THEIR SYSTEM OF ACTIVITIES, SO THAT COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES AND PRIVATE CONVICTED OFFENDER ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS IS CRUCIAL. PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MATERIAL SUPPORT TO INMATES' FAMILIES AND FOR SOCIAL READJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE TO EX-OFFENDERS THEMSELVES. AID SHOULD ALSO BE PROVIDED IN FINDING EMPLOYMENT AND DWELLINGS FOR EX-OFFENDERS, AND IN PLANNING LEISURE TIME AS WELL AS IN ARRANGING SUCH ACTIVITIES AS FAMILY COUNSELING THAT ARE NOT CALLED FOR IN EXISTING LAW. SPECIAL PROGRAMS MUST BE DESIGNED TO ASSIST EX-OFFENDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN PAYING OFF DEBTS. CRISIS INTERVENTION CAN HELP EX-OFFENDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES COPE WITH NEW ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SITUATIONS CREATED BY ARREST. IN THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES AND PRIVATE ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS THE LATTER ARE BEST SUITED TO DEFINE THE ASSISTANCE NEEDS AND LEGAL OPTIONS OF INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS. CENTRAL OFFICES SHOULD BE CREATED TO COORDINATE EFFORTS AND TO PLAN A NETWORK OF COMMUNAL GROUPS AND SPECIAL LOANS TO OFFENDERS. SUCH CENTRAL OFFICES COULD BE DIVIDED INTO OFFICES FOR SOCIAL COUNSELING OR OFFICES FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE; IN ANY CASE THE CENTRAL OFFICES SHOULD SPECIALIZE IN PRISONER AID, NOT GENERAL PUBLIC SERVICES. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)