NCJ Number
90552
Journal
Case and Comment Volume: 77 Issue: 1 Dated: (January/February 1972) Pages: 19-23
Date Published
1972
Length
6 pages
Annotation
After documenting the employment problems encountered by ex-offenders, this paper describes some curative pilot programs undertaken, notably the program sponsored by the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA).
Abstract
Studies have indicated that ex-offenders generally do not improve their employment status after release compared to their employment situation prior to imprisonment. Even those who have received vocational training while in prison have trouble becoming steadily employed after release. People trained to deal with industry and business are needed to address the problem of providing manpower services to ex-offenders. However, channeling the employment resources of the business community and other private and public sector agencies is too big a task for any one State or local correction agency to undertake. Recognizing this, LEAA initiated programs that gave special emphasis to rehabilitation through the application of manpower services in the community. Pilot projects were undertaken in many communities to bring ex-offenders and private-sector employers together and increase the opportunities for ex-offender gainful employment. The project objectives included inmate prerelease or preplacement job counseling, business support of jobs for ex-offenders, training corrections officials in manpower training skills, and assistance to employers in developing job training programs and supervisory sensitivity courses. Business leaders have responded positively to these efforts. Another major step would be adoption of the proposal of the President's Task Force on Prison Rehabilitation, i.e., the establishment of a national agency to stimulate in the States and localities programs for the employment and training of criminal offenders.