NCJ Number
88787
Journal
Bewaehrungshilfe Volume: 28 Issue: 2 Dated: (1981) Pages: 146-153
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
About half of West German ex-offenders face debts of at least 2,000 marks upon returning to the community, making debt management a needed service that probation assistance should be able to deliver.
Abstract
Probation officers should approach debt management guidance as an intrinsic part of their casework and as an obligation to teach self-help techniques and social living skills. To be effective in this effort, the probation service should be supported by the establishment of resocialization funds from which clients can obtain low-interest debt consolidation loans. Such foundations have already been set up in some German States, and several nationwide seminars have studied and promoted such programs. The best model is a basic statewide fund which guarantees loans made by a private banking institution to qualified clients at a number of accessible local offices throughout the State. It is up to the justice system to become the principal loan guarantors to demonstrate trust in the ex-offender clientele and encourage private sector involvement as well as to demonstrate workability of the projects. Governmental involvement will also make it easier to negotiate reduced debt settlements with creditors who are to be indemnified through the loan consolidation. Probation officers should resort to the loan program only for heavily indebted clients; their principal goal is to assist all probationers with money management techniques that will enable them to live responsibly within their means. A total of 27 footnotes are provided.