NCJ Number
64937
Date Published
1974
Length
13 pages
Annotation
COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR AND ACCEPTANCE OF HALFWAY HOUSE PROGRAMS ARE ADDRESSED, AND THE IMPACT OF HALFWAY HOUSES ON EX-OFFENDER REINTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY IS CONSIDERED.
Abstract
HALFWAY HOUSES PROLIFERATED IN THE 1950'S, AND THE INTERNATIONAL HALFWAY HOUSE ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED IN 1964. ALTHOUGH ORIGINAL GOALS CONCERNED TEMPORARY SHELTER, FOOD, LIMITED ASSISTANCE IN GAINING EMPLOYMENT, AND DECOMPRESSION FROM INSTITUTIONS TO THE FREE COMMUNITY, HALFWAY HOUSES ARE BEGINNING TO SPECIALIZE TO MEET NEEDS OF DIVERSE CLIENT GROUPS (DIVERSION, PRERELEASE, POSTRELEASE, DRUG ADDICTION, AND ALCOHOLISM CLIENTS). NUMEROUS TREATMENT APROACHES HAVE EVOLVED WITH SPECIALIZATION. THE ATTITUDE OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICIALS HAS CHANGED IN THAT COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS IS A PRIMARY GOAL. HALFWAY HOUSES HAVE DEVELOPED STRONG TIES WITH THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM, BUT THEY ARE ALSO PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY EXIST. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT IS NEEDED BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HALFWAY HOUSE, HOWEVER. THIS APPROACH, 'HIGH NOON' REQUIRES IDENTIFYING NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND AGENCIES AND DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING COMMUNICATION WITH THEM TO INFORM THEM OF HALFWAY HOUSE GOALS, OPERATIONS, AND SERVICES. COMMUNITY LEADERS MUST BE CONTACTED 6 TO 12 MONTHS AHEAD OF TIME AND TOLD ABOUT THE HALFWAY HOUSE'S PLANS. IN FACILITATING BROAD COMMUNITY SUPPORT, THE ADVICE AND ADVOCACY OF NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS IS CRITICAL TO MINIMIZE ORGANIZED OPPOSITION AND TO LESSEN NEIGHBORHOOD FEARS AND ANXIETIES. THE 'MIDNIGHT COWBOY' APPROACH HAS BEEN USED MORE SUCCESSFULLY THAN THE HIGH NOON APPROACH IN SOME ADULT PROGRAMS DUE TO FEARS ABOUT AN INCREASING CRIME RATE, SEXUAL ASSAULT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN, AND DECREASING PROPERTY VALUES. THE MIDNIGHT COWBOY APPROACH REQUIRES LEADERS WHO ARE WILLING TO TAKE CALCULATED RISKS IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT A HALFWAY HOUSE PROGRAM, SINCE INITIAL SUPPORT FOR A HALFWAY HOUSE IS NOT SOUGHT AND THE COMMUNITY IS NOT INFORMED OF THE INTENTION TO OPEN A HALFWAY HOUSE. REGARDLESS OF THE APPROACH, CITIZEN ACCEPTANCE OF EX-OFFENDERS IS FACILITATED BY USING COMMUNITY RESOURCES. STEPS TO HELP OPEN HALFWAY HOUSE PROGRAMS ARE OUTLINED, AND THE VIABILITY OF MULTIUSE STRUCTURES FOR PROGRAM OPERATION IS CONSIDERED. BENEFITS OF LINKAGES BETWEEN EX-OFFENDERS AND THE COMMUNITY ARE DISCUSSED. NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)