NCJ Number
88789
Journal
Bewaehrungshilfe Volume: 28 Issue: 2 Dated: (1981) Pages: 163-171
Date Published
1981
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The West German welfare law providing assistance to persons experiencing special obstacles to full social participation can pertain to ex-offenders facing inadequate living arrangements after release, but has been underutilized until now due to the lack of implementation guidelines.
Abstract
Probation officers and postrelease shelters have been stymied in obtaining assistance for their financially needy clients through this law because of its poorly defined stipulations, which were not being uniformly interpreted by the various States. Recently issued implementation guidelines rectify this shortcoming. Probation officers and social agency staff must familiarize themselves with the guidelines to reap maximum benefits from this welfare provision. The guidelines define the target group; eligibility criteria; purpose, type, and extent of obtainable assistance; types of agencies eligible for support; and application procedures.