NCJ Number
64955
Date Published
1974
Length
84 pages
Annotation
THE CLEARINGHOUSE FOR EX-OFFENDERS, ESTABLISHED IN LOUISVILLE, KY., IN OCTOBER 1972 TO COORDINATE AND IMPLEMENT JOB PLACEMENT OF EX-OFFENDERS, IS DESCRIBED, EVALUATED, AND PROPOSED AS AN EXEMPLARY PROJECT.
Abstract
THE CLEARINGHOUSE WAS FUNDED THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE KENTUCKY CRIME COMMISSION AND ADMINISTERED BY THE KENTUCKY BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS. SERVICES INCLUDE VOCATIONAL COUNSELING, JOB PLACEMENT, BONDING FOR EMPLOYMENT, AND PROVISION OF CLOTHING, TOOLS, MEDICAL CARE, EMERGENCY FUNDS, AND TEMPORARY HOUSING. BY BRINGING SEVERAL AGENCIES UNDER ONE ROOF, THE CLEARINGHOUSE REDUCES TRAVEL AND EFFORT REQUIRED OF EX-OFFENDERS. IN 11 MONTHS THE CLEARINGHOUSE INTERVIEWED 906 EX-OFFENDERS, MADE 1,604 REFERRALS, AND SECURED 514 PLACEMENTS WITH AN AVERAGE STARTING SALARY OF $2.46 PER HOUR. THE PROJECT HAS MET AND IN SOME CASES SURPASSED GOALS SET FORTH IN THE INITIAL GRANT APPLICATION. FEATURES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROJECT'S SUCCESS INCLUDE THE ADVANCE PLANNING AND THE USE OF EXISTING COMMUNITY RESOURCES. THE PROJECT'S OUTSTANDING FEATURES INCLUDE (1) BRINGING TOGETHER FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES; (2) PROVISIONS OF ONE CENTRAL LOCATION TO SERVE EX-OFFENDERS' VOCATIONAL NEEDS; AND (3) IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICE DELIVERY TO EX-OFFENDERS. IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED IN AREAS OF FOLLOWUP WITH NONSUPERVISION CLIENTS, AND CASELOAD NUMBER PER COUNSELOR. THE PROJECT IS EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE, AND REPLICABLE IN OTHER COMMUNITIES. IN A COMMUNITY MUCH LARGER THAN LOUISVILLE (POPULATION 700,000), MOVEMENT TO A SATELLITE CONCEPT RATHER THAN A SINGLE, CENTRALIZED OFFICE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. TABLES, PROGRESS REPORTS, PHOTOCOPIES OF NEWSPAPER ARTICLES AND LETTERS ENDORSING THE PROGRAM, AND THE PROGRAM'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1972-1973 ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)