NCJ Number
49897
Journal
CORRECTIVE PSYCHIATRY AND JOURNAL OF SOCIAL THERAPY Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: (1972) Pages: 4-9
Date Published
1972
Length
6 pages
Annotation
PRERELEASE PROGRAMS AT TERMINAL ISLAND FEDERAL PRISON, THE COMMUNITY TREATMENT CENTERS AT LOS ANGELES AND LONG BEACH, AND THE EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT OFFICE ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF EACH ARE LISTED.
Abstract
PRERELEASE PROGRAMS FOR OFFENDERS IN CALIFORNIA ATTEMPT TO EDUCATE INMATES ABOUT THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF PROBATION OR PAROLE, COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND POTENTIAL PITFALLS. SUCH PROGRAMS ALSO ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FUNDS FOR THE INMATE TO BECOME REESTABLISHED IN SOCIETY. THE PROGRAMS ALSO SHOULD PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INTERACTION THROUGH PAROLE OR 'MANDATORY-RELEASE' SUPERVISION, AND CONTINUOUS CONCERN FOR INMATES BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER RELEASE. TERMINAL ISLAND PRERELEASE PROGRAMS OFFER EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT AND WORK RELEASE AS WELL AS CLOTHING AND FUNDS AT TIME OF RELEASE. OVERWORKED ADMINISTRATORS AND PROBLEMS IN FINDING JOBS FOR UNSKILLED WORKERS ARE THE MAJOR ILLS AT TERMINAL ISLAND. THE 40 MALES AND 20 FEMALES IN THE WORK RELEASE PROGRAM GENERALLY WORK AT MENIAL OR UNSKILLED TASKS. THEY RETAIN THE MONEY THEY EARN, BUT ARE REQUIRED TO PAY $2 A DAY TO THE INSTITUTION. THE 16 MEN AND 7 WOMEN ON THE SCHOOL RELEASE PROGRAM ATTEND EITHER COLLEGE OR TRADE SCHOOL AND PAY THESE EXPENSES THEMSELVES. THE COSTS OF THE SCHOOL PROGRAM PROHIBIT MANY FROM UTILIZING IT, ALTHOUGH BOTH HAVE LONG WAITING LISTS. ADMINISTRATIVE AND PHYSICAL PROBLEMS PREVENT EXPANSION. THE LOS ANGELES AND LONG BEACH COMMUNITY TREATMENT CENTERS WERE DESIGNED PRIMARILY FOR OFFENDERS UNDER AGE 25, BUT PRESENTLY ACCOMMODATE 52 MALE RESIDENTS UNDER AGE 35. SOME, BUT NOT ALL, ARE FROM TERMINAL ISLAND. THIS PROGRAM SUFFERS FROM A HEAVY ADMINISTRATIVE CASELOAD. A PROGRAM TO HELP RESIDENTS OBTAIN COMMERCIAL DRIVERS' LICENSES HAD TO BE DROPPED BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT PERSONNEL TO HANDLE IT. THE EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT PROJECT IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL. INMATES OFTEN RETURN TO IT WHEN THEY WISH TO CHANGE JOBS. ALTHOUGH IT IS CRITICIZED FOR UTILIZING TOO FEW SOURCES OF EMPLOYMENT, THE DIRECTOR CONTINUALLY TRIES TO EXPAND CONTACTS AND EXPLORE NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES. BETTER ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTION, EXPANSION OF SERVICES, GREATER PRE- AND POSTRELEASE COORDINATION, AND EXTENSIVE EVALUATION ARE URGED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (GLR)