NCJ Number
95289
Journal
Journal of Offender Counseling Services and Rehabilitation Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (Summer 1984) Pages: 5-12
Date Published
1984
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Although most States' correctional systems permit the hiring of ex-offenders, few ex-offenders were employed during the 1970's.
Abstract
Study data came from a questionnaire mailed to the directors of the departments of corrections in 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In 1979, an estimated 522 ex-offenders were employed in American correctional systems, an 86 percent increase from 1971. Salaries for ex-offenders are apparently keeping pace with the general inflationary spiral in the United States. Ex-offender strengths as employees in corrections override the reported weaknesses. Ex-offenders are singled out for their knowledge of the correctional system and for their counseling abilities. They are generally honest, reliable, loyal, and self-disciplined workers. However, they tend to overidentify with inmates and give in to inmate pressure. It is paradoxical that ex-offenders constitute less than one-half of 1 percent of correctional employees, given the feasibility of employing them and the positive reports of correctional administrators. Correctional administrators should modify their employment practices, both for the credibility of corrections as a model employer and for the practical objectives of providing meaningful employment and employment for selected ex-offenders. Data tables and eight references are supplied.