NCJ Number
42184
Date Published
1977
Length
16 pages
Annotation
IN THIS ARTICLE, THE AUTHOR, AN EX-OFFENDER HIMSELF, OUTLINES THE CASE FOR AND BARRIERS TO FORMAL EX-OFFENDER INVOLVEMENT IN CORRECTIONS AS A MANPOWER RESOURCE AND LISTS EXAMPLES OF EX-OFFENDER PARTICIPATION IN THE FIELD.
Abstract
POINTED OUT IS THE FACT THAT, ALTHOUGH EX-OFFENDERS HAVE UNIQUE INSIGHTS INTO WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOES NOT WORK IN CORRECTIONS, SEVERAL FACTORS HAVE SERVED TO RETARD THEIR ENTRY, INCLUDING A LACK OF TRUST ON THE PART OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS AND THE PAPER QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED BY CIVIL SERVICE PROCEDURES. SELF-HELP EFFORTS, IN WHICH FORMER OFFENDERS FORM GROUPS, NON-PROFIT CORPORATIONS AND THE LIKE, HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN OVERCOMING THESE BARRIERS IN SOME JURISDICTIONS. IN ADDITION, EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS, RESIDENTIAL CENTERS, HALFWAY HOUSES, AND SIMILAR EFFORTS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AND ARE RUN BY EX-OFFENDERS. ALSO, THE CLIENT PARTICIPATION MODEL FOR CORRECTIONAL CHANGE CALLS FOR PROFESSIONALS (STAFF) AND NONPROFESSIONAL CLIENTS (INMATES) ALIKE TO HAVE A VOICE IN A PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT POLICY OF THE INSTITUTION.