NCJ Number
52622
Journal
OFFENDER REHABILITATION Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: (SUMMER 1978) Pages: 383-388
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING TRADITIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES TO THOSE IN JAILS AWAITING TRIAL ARE IDENTIFIED, AND A GENERAL APPROACH IS SUGGESTED.
Abstract
THE DIFFICULTY OF PREDICTING THE LENGTH OF TIME AN ACCUSED WILL REMAIN IN CUSTODY AT A COUNTY JAIL AND THE TRANSIENT NATURE OF THE JAIL POPULATION ARE CITED AS THE RESTRICTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF A JAIL DETENTION MAKING THE PROVISION OF EFFECTIVE REHABILITATION SERVICES DIFFICULT. IT IS NOTED THAT DURING THE 1960'S FEDERAL FUNDS WERE ALLOTTED TO PROVIDE SUCH REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR JAILS AS WORK RELEASE, GENERAL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA, ALCOHOL EDUCATION COUNSELING, AND SOCIAL SERVICES. THE JAIL STAFF, HOWEVER, IS VIEWED AS NOT HAVING HAD A COOPERATIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD THE INFLUX OF HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS INTO THEIR DOMAIN. PROBLEMS WITH SALARIES AND JOB SATISFACTION, IN ADDITION TO NONCOOPERATION FROM JAIL STAFF, GENERALLY LED TO HIGH TURNOVER IN JAIL REHABILITATION PERSONNEL. ANY PROGRAM OF REHABILITATION THAT NECESSARILY REQUIRES A DEFINITE PERIOD OF INVOLVEMENT OR ASSUMPTION OF A PARTICULAR LIFE SITUATION FOR THE ACCUSED IS DEEMED PROBLEMATIC IN A JAIL TERM AND TRIAL OUTCOME OF A GIVEN DEFENDANT. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT IN THE INTEREST OF SETTING REALISTIC GOALS, REHABILITATION SERVICES SHOULD ORIENT THEMSELVES TOWARD THE SHORT-TERM EFFORT OF AIDING PRISONERS TO ADJUST TO THE STRESS OF THE JAIL ENVIRONMENT AND UNCERTAINTIES ABOUT THEIR FUTURE, WHILE HELPING WITH PRACTICAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH INCAPACITATION. (RCB)