BACK ON THE STREET - FROM PRISON TO POVERTY - THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF RELEASED OFFENDERS

• NCJ Number: 37720
• Author(s): R HOROWITZ
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 47 pages
• Grant Number(s): 21-11-75-19
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Labor
• Corporate Author: American Bar Assoc.
• Sale Source: American Bar Assoc.
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

BASED ON RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF EACH STATE'S CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT, YOUTH AUTHORITY, AND WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THIS REPORT DETAILS THE SOURCES AND AMOUNT OF POST-RELEASE AID AND SUGGESTS THAT SUCH AID SHOULD BE INCREASED.

Abstract

AMONG THE SOURCES OF POST-RELEASE ASSISTANCE EXAMINED ARE 'GATE MONEY' (SUMS OF MONEY GIVEN TO THE INMATE UPON RELEASE), CLOTHING AND TRANSPORTATION, LOANS, SAVINGS, AND SPECIAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. THE JUVENILE OFFENDER'S NEED FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO RELEASED JUVENILES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. THE REPORT FOUND INADEQUATE FINANCIAL AID FOR MOST INMATES, AND SUGGESTS THAT MEANINGFUL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INMATES IS NEEDED. IT IS ARGUED THAT SUCH AID WOULD PLAY A PREDOMINATE ROLE IN THE REINTEGRATION PROCESS, AND WOULD AFFORD THE RELEASEE TIME TO LOCATE A WORTHWHILE JOB, PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR THE PURCHASE OF LIVING ESSENTIALS PENDING EMPLOYMENT, AND NURTURE THE EQUAL TREATMENT OF EX-OFFENDERS WITH OTHER CITIZENS IN NEED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT GUARANTEED INCOME SHOULD RESULT IN LOWER RECIDIVISM RATES.