NCJ Number
185853
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2000 Pages: 35-38
Editor(s)
Larry Motiuk
Date Published
September 2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Reintegration Effort for Long-term Infirm and Elderly Federal Offender (RELIEF) program began in January 1999 to assume a larger and more structured role in the community reintegration of elderly and infirm offenders in the Pacific Region of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC).
Abstract
The RELIEF program is unique in that it grew from a true collaborative effort of offenders, community volunteers, and CSC staff to meet the needs of both incarcerated and conditionally released offenders who could not fully care for themselves. The RELIEF program recognizes age-specific programming is required to address the special needs of elderly and infirm offenders in the areas of special recreation, exclusion from the work force, self-care, nutrition, and living in special care settings. Moreover, the RELIEF program realizes that specialized training for caregivers and correctional staff is essential to provide appropriate care and referral services for elderly and infirm offenders and that release from institutions is difficult for these offenders due to issues of financial support, accommodations, and program participation. Goals and objectives of the RELIEF program are delineated, program links to other initiatives are noted, and the operation of the RELIEF program is described. Admission criteria and discharge planning aspects of the program are also examined, as well as ways of monitoring offender progress in reintegration. 2 footnotes