NCJ Number
64828
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1980) Pages: 46-51
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE PLAYED BY VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE REHABILITATION AND SOCIAL REINTEGRATION OF EX-OFFENDERS IN INDIA IS ANALYZED IN THIS CASE STUDY OF A PRISONER AID SOCIETY.
Abstract
EX-OFFENDERS CANNOT RETURN TO SOCIETY AS REHABILITATED AND USEFUL MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES UNLESS THEY ARE AIDED IN MAKING THE OFTEN DIFFICULT TRANSITION FROM THE SHELTERED INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT TO A COMPETITIVE WORLD. IN INDIA, THIS TYPE OF POSTRELEASE ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED TO EX-OFFENDERS BY VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS, FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE CORRECTIONAL STAFFS OF THE INSTITUTIONS THEY ARE TRYING TO SERVE. LIAISON OFFICERS OF SUCH AGENCIES SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE CORRECTIONAL STAFF WITH SUFFICIENT PERSONAL DATA ON THE EMPLOYMENT SKILLS AND BACKGROUNDS OF THE SOON-TO-BE-RELEASED PRISONERS TO ENABLE THEM TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT AND TO PREPARE THE INMATES' FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT THEM. LIAISON OFFICERS SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO MEET WITH SUCH PRISONERS WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DATE OF DISCHARGE TO MAKE THEIR OWN ASSESSMENT OF INMATES' PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS. HOWEVER, BECAUSE CORRECTIONAL STAFFS RESENT LIAISON OFFICERS' 'INTRUSION' IN THESE INSTITUTIONS, THEY DENY THEM ACCESS TO THE PRISONERS AND WITHOLD SUFFICIENT INFORMATION. SCARCITY OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS AND COMMUNITY APATHY ARE ALSO PROBLEMS FACING THESE VOLUNTEER OGANIZATIONS. A LIST OF BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES IS APPENDED. (LGR)