HOUSE HUSTLING (FROM COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS INSTITUTE, 1978 - SEE NCJ-56514)

• NCJ Number: 56523
• Author(s): G HILL
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Montana Dept of Institutions
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

PUBLIC RELATIONS ACTIVITIES INVOLVED IN PERSUADING THE COMMUMITY OF BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH COMMUMITY RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTERS ARE NOTED.

Abstract

A REPORT OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS INDICATES THAT, IF ASKED, MOST COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WOULD PROBABLY SUPPORT HALFWAY HOUSES FOR OFFENDERS WHO DO NOT POSE A SERIOUS THREAT BUT WHO STILL REQUIRE SOME RESIDENTIAL CONTROL. IT MUST BE RECOGNIZED, HOWEVER, THAT MOST PEOPLE DO NOT WANT A HALFWAY HOUSE OR COMMUNITY-BASED FACILIY NEXT DOOR TO THEM EVEN THOUGH THEY SUPPORT THE IDEA OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS. AT THE TIME AN EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO SELL THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS TO THE PUBLIC, IT IS NECESSARY TO WARN OF POTENTIAL DANGERS. IN PUBLIC RELATIONS ACTIVITIES TO PERSUADE THE PUBLIC, ATTENTION TO DETAILS IS THE KEY INGREDIENT IN DETERMINING SUCCESS OR FAILURE. SOME STEPS THAT CAN BE INITIATED ARE (1) IDENTIFY ALL ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITHIN AN AREA WHO CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON A PROGRAM, INCLUDING BUSINESSMEN, CLERGYMEN, BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS, LOCAL LEGISLATORS, COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS AND CITY OFFICIALS, LOCAL SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, CIVIC GROUPS, WOMEN'S GROUPS, LABOR UNION LEADERSHIP, THE NEWS MEDIA, POLICE OFFICIALS, JUDGES, PROBATION AGENTS, VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION OFFICIALS, AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS REPRESENTATIVES; (2) MAKE A LIST OF ALL PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS IDENTIFIED AND RANK THEM; (3) HOLD A LUNCHEON TO FIND OUT WHO IS GENUINELY INTERESTED; (4) USE SPECIFIC GROUPS WITHIN A PARTICULAR AREA TO FORM A PUBLIC AWARENESS COMMITTEE OR CONDUCT GENERALIZED PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES; (5) IDENTIFY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY OTHER PERSONS AND AGENCIES; (6) OBTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD OR AREA CONSENT AND SUPPORT; (7) MAKE SURE LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS ARE UNDERSTOOD, SUCH AS ZONING LAWS, BUILDING CODES, HEALTH AND SANITARY LAWS, AND FIRE CODES; AND (8) INFORMALLY ESTABLISH A CONSULTING, COOPERATIVE, OR FUNDING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES. (DEP)