NCJ Number
40397
Date Published
1977
Length
45 pages
Annotation
AFTER A DISCUSSION OF THE NEED FOR COORDINATION OF PROGRAMS SUPPORTING EX-OFFENDER EMPLOYMENT AND METHODS OF OBTAINING THIS COORDINATION, MATERIALS ILLUSTRATING SEVERAL EX-OFFENDER JOB PLACEMENT EFFORTS ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
EMPLOYMENT OF THE EX-OFFENDER CAN MAKE A CRITICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESSFUL ADJUSTMENT TO A FREE LIFE AND RETURN TO PRISON. EX-OFFENDERS, HOWEVER, MAY HAVE A SERIOUS HANDICAP IN OBTAINING MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR POOR WORK HISTORIES AND THEIR CRIMINAL RECORDS. PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO HELP THE EX-OFFENDER FIND EMPLOYMENT, BUT IN MANY CASES THESE COMMUNITY SERVICES SUFFER FROM LACK OF COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, SYSTEMATIC IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDS, AND COORDINATION OF EXISTING SERVICES. TO COUNTERACT THIS PROBLEM, THIS MONOGRAPH PROPOSES THAT A COMMUNITY COORDINATION PROGRAM FOR EX-OFFENDER SERVICES BE ESTABLISHED. THE APPENDED MATERIALS IN THIS REPORT PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF MANY OF THESE PROCEDURES AND PRESENT SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THEIR APPLICATION. THESE MATERIALS INCLUDE A LIST OF CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATING AGENCIES (FROM KANSAS CITY), A DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW YORK CITY JOB REFERRAL SYSTEM, A LIST OF RESOURCE MATERIAL FOR OFFENDER EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PROGRAMS IN LOUISVILLE, ALAMEDA COUNTY, KANSAS CITY, AND ST. LOUIS.