NCJ Number
45479
Date Published
1975
Length
16 pages
Annotation
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS COMMONLY MADE WITH REGARD TO VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS ARE EXAMINED IN TERMS OF THEIR VALIDITY AND APPLICABILITY TO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
Abstract
THE ASSUMPTIONS CONSIDERED ARE THAT: (1) THE WHOLE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT IS WELL ESTABLISHED AND IS WELCOMED AS A POSITIVE FORCE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF DIFFERENTIAL CLIENTELE; (2) MOST PEOPLE WILL RESPOND TO THE SINCERE CARE AND CONCERN SHOWN TO THEM BY VOLUNTEERS, WHICH WILL AID THEM IN BECOMING MORE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS; (3) VOLUNTEERS ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF WARMTH AND CARING TO SHARE WITH THEIR CLIENTS, THEREFORE, CREATIVE EFFORTS ON THEIR PART ARE TO BE ENCOURAGED; AND (4) THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM IS IN NEED OF REFORM AND THIS IS BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE CALLOUS, COLD, AND SOMETIMES BRUTAL. WAYS IN WHICH DIRECTORS OF VOLUNTEERS PROGRAMS CAN HELP THEIR VOLUNTEERS ADAPT THESE GENERAL ASSUMPTIONS TO WORK IN THE UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE OF A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND SO DEVELOP A REALISTIC, POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD THEIR WORK ARE DISCUSSED. DIRECTORS ARE ADVISED TO ACQUAINT THEM WITH THE TYPES OF PEOPLE THEY WILL BE WORKING WITH, BOTH PRISONERS AND ADMINISTRATORS. THE ROLE VOLUNTEERS CAN PLAY IN THE REHABILITATION OF INMATES IS EVALUATED. ELEVEN PROPOSITIONS THAT WILL INCREASE MOTIVATION, APPLICABLE TO VOLUNTEERS AS WELL AS TO INSTITUTIONAL STAFF, ARE OUTLINED. A REFERENCE LIST IS INCLUDED.