NCJ Number
45857
Journal
Cornell Journal of Social Relations Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: (FALL 1976) Pages: 191-196
Date Published
1976
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE BASIC PREMISE OF COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS, THAT THE OFFENDER'S TIES TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED WITH THE GOAL OF REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY, IS CRITICALLY EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR REFUTES THE CONTENTION THAT MAINTENANCE OF FAMILY AND PEER TIES IS BENEFICIAL FOR LATER READJUSTMENT TO SOCIETY. THE IMAGERY BEHIND THIS CONCEPTION IS AT BEST INACCURATE AND ROMANTICIZED FOR SOME OFFENDERS, E.G., THE GANG MEMBER -- HIS ACTIVITIES ARE USUALLY WELL INTEGRATED WITH THOSE OF HIS PEER GROUP AND MERELY REFLECT A LONG TRADITION OF GANG VIOLENCE. NOR IS THE IMAGE OF AN INCLUSIVE NORMATIVE COMMUNITY PARTICULARLY DESCRIPTIVE OF THE CITY BLOCKS OF THE URBAN GHETTO WHERE THE EX-CONVICT'S PRISON EXPERIENCES MAY ACTUALLY SERVE TO INCREASE HIS STATUS HIS PEERS. THE EX-CONVICT REINTEGRATED IN SUCH A COMMUNITY FINDS A CRIMINAL CAREER THE MOST COMFORTABLE AND BEST REWARDED RECOURSE. FURTHER, ALTHOUGH IT IS SELDOM ADMITTED, THE FAMILY ITSELF IS OFTEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CRIMINAL CAREER TO BEGIN WITH, AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICERS MAY BE PARTICULARLY HOSTILE TOWARD THE EX-CONVICT WITH WHOM THEY HAVE HAD CONTACT PRIOR TO HIS INCARCERATION. IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT, DESPITE THE HARDSHIPS CAUSED BY SEVERANCE OF COMMUNITY TIES, A NUMBER OF OFFENDERS WOULD HAVE A FAR BETTER CHANGE OF REMAINING CRIME-FREE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY ARE NOT PLAGUED BY CRIMINAL STEREOTYPES. THREE METHODS ARE AVAILABLE TO CORRECTONS OFFICIALS WISHING TO RELOCATE OFFENDERS IN LOCALES OTHER THAN HOME COMMUNITIES: COMPULSORY RELOCATION DURING PAROLE, PROVISION OF FINANCIAL OR OTHER INCENTIVES FOR RELOCATION, AND COUNSELING AIMED AT PERSUADING THE OFFENDER TO RELOCATED. A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF RECIDIVISM AMONG RELOCATED PAROLEES AND PAROLEES RETURNED TO THEIR HOME COMMUNITIES IS RECOMMENDED. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (JAP)