NCJ Number
77989
Date Published
Unknown
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Ways in which Sri Lanka corrections works with offenders and ex-offenders and their families to facilitate community adjustment are described.
Abstract
One of the greatest difficulties faced by an offender or ex-offender and his/her family is the social stigma attached to criminal involvement. Sri Lanka corrections works toward educating the community in the importance of relating to offenders and their families with good will and acceptance, such that those offenders motivated toward normative living in the community can develop and apply vocational and social skills without barriers of prejudice obstructing their readjustment to the community. Much of this community education occurs as citizens are drawn into community programs for offenders and ex-offenders in the form of volunteer work through volunteer agencies, religious organizations, aftercare services, and offender participation in community projects. Finding employment upon discharge from an institution is particularly difficult for ex-offenders. The difficulty is compounded in developing countries with a high percentage of unemployment. One approach used in Sri Lanka has been the formation of a cooperative of discharged offenders skilled in masonry and carpentry, which is used in the building and maintenance work of the Department of Prisons. The ex-offenders work for full wages, and any profits of the cooperative accrue to its members. This scheme has been so satisfactory that the cooperative's services are being extended to other government departments.