NCJ Number
6043
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1967) Pages: 11-15
Date Published
1967
Length
5 pages
Annotation
'OFF-GROUNDS ACTIVITIES' FOR CONVICTED OFFENDERS (I.E., HALFWAY HOUSES, WORK-RELEASE PROGRAMS) ARE SUGGESTED AS AN EFFECTIVE REHABILITATIVE APPROACH WHICH MAKES MAXIMUM USE OF COMMUNITIES AS RESOURCES.
Abstract
OFF-GROUNDS ACTIVITIES PRESENT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF COMMUNITY INTEREST AND PROVIDE FOR THE CONTROLLED RETURN OF OFFENDERS INTO THE COMMUNITY. WORK-RELEASE PROGRAMS ARE PROBABLY THE LEAST EXPLOITABLE OFF-GROUNDS ACTIVITIES FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF REINTEGRATION OF THE OFFENDER INTO SOCIETY. THE WORK-RELEASE IDEA HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO ABOUT 30 STATES, WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF FELONY OFFENDERS IN SOME JURISDICTIONS. OFF-GROUNDS FUNCTIONS FOR WOMEN INCLUDE ATTENDANCE AT RELIGIOUS SERVICES AND CHURCH ACTIVITIES, SPORTS, AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING. WISCONSIN LEGISLATION IN 1963 AUTHORIZED SIMILAR PROGRAMS FOR MEN, INCLUDING THE INCREASING PARTICIPATION OF OUTSIDERS IN INSTITUTION LEISURE TIME PROGRAMS. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT GOALS IN INSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS INVOLVES TEACHING THEM HOW TO MAKE CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF LEISURE TIME. TYPES OF OFF-GROUNDS ACTIVITIES WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE TO PROGRAM ENRICHMENT INCLUDE VISITS TO ART INSTITUTES OR PLAY PRESENTATIONS, PARTICIPATION IN ORGANIZED CLUBS AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS, AND ATTENDANCE AT HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE COURSES. BECAUSE PRISONERS NEED TO LEARN HOW TO ESTABLISH SATISFYING INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS, THE USE OF OFF-GROUNDS ACTIVITIES AS A TREATMENT APPROACH SHOULD BE CONTINUED. SOME FEDERAL PROGRAMS ARE MENTIONED. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (WJR)