NCJ Number
64900
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
VARIOUS GROUP LIVING POSSIBILITIES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED FOR EX-OFFENDERS TO AID THEM IN SOCIAL INTEGRATION AFTER RELEASE FROM IMPRISONMENT.
Abstract
SUCH LIVING ARRANGEMENTS ARE VIEWED AS A USEFUL MEANS OF PROVIDING A SECURE SITUATION SO THAT EX-OFFENDERS CAN ADJUST TO THEIR FREE STATE, BUT OTHER ASSISTANCE MEASURES ARE NEEDED. GROUP LIVING CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS (1) INFORMAL GROUPS FORMED BY PRISON FRIENDS WITHOUT PEDAGOGICAL DIRECTION OR PROBLEM COUNSELING, (2) INCLUSION OF AN EX-OFFENDER IN AN EXISTING FAMILY OR STUDENT COOPERATIVE WHERE HE FREQUNETLY FEELS ISOLATED AS THE 'NEW' OR 'DIFFERENT' MEMBER, AND (3) ORGANIZATION-SPONSORED, LEGALLY DEFINED GROUP LIVING ORGANIZED FOR EX-OFFENDERS SO THAT THEY CAN FACE THE PROBLEMS OF READJUSTMENT WITHOUT FINANCIAL WORRIES, BUT WITH GROUP SELF-DETERMINATION. IN THE LATTER CASE, THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATION PROVIDES COUNSELING, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS, AID IN FACILITY RELOCATION, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS WORK. HOWEVER, RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FOR THEMSELVES, THUS GAINING INDEPENDENCE. STARTING IN PRISON, INDIVIDUALS SHOULD ASSIST IN DEFINITION OF GOALS AND BEHAVIORAL TRAINING UNTIL THEY ARE READY TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN PLANNING THEIR OWN LIVES. DISCUSSION GROUPS IN PRISON AND IN COMMUNAL GROUPS SHOULD BE LED BY THE SAME DISCUSSION LEADER, AND PARTICIPATION OF COMMUNAL GROUP RESIDENTS IN PRISON DISCUSSION GROUPS IS DESIRABLE. COORDINATION OF GROUP WORK IS BEST PROMOTED BY INFORMING CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL OF COMMUNAL GROUP GOALS, BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTIVE RESIDENT PARTICIPATION, BY ASSISTING IN THE SOLUTION OF INSTITUTIONAL PROBLEMS, AND BY SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES WITH INSTITUTIONS. IF EX-OFFENDERS ARE NOT TO SUCCUMB TO NEGATIVE EXPECTATIONS OF SOCIETY, TO ADJUSTMENT DIFFICULTIES, OR TO SANCTIONS OF SOCIETY BY RETURNING TO THEIR PREVIOUS LIFE-STYLES, THEY MUST RECEIVE ASSISTANCE IN SOCIAL REINTEGRATION. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)