NCJ Number
63981
Journal
Bewaehrungshilfe Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (1979) Pages: 137-145
Date Published
1979
Length
9 pages
Annotation
AN ALTERNATIVE TO RESOCIALIZATION AS ENFORCED CONFORMITY TO MIDDLE CLASS SOCIAL VALUES IS OUTLINED.
Abstract
ACCORDING TO THE VIEW PRESENTED, CRIMES MUST BE REGARDED BOTH AS INDIVIDUAL ACTS AND AS PROBLEMS WITHIN A SOCIAL CONTEXT. THE CRITICAL FACTOR FOR SOME OFFENDERS IS THEIR POSITION IN THE SOCIAL PRODUCTION PROCESS, I.E., AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PRODUCTION HIERARCHY WHERE A GREAT DEAL OF HATE FOR THE SYSTEM RESULTS. THE LIVES OF SUCH DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS ARE CHARACTERIZED BY VULNERABLE JOBS WITH POOR WORKING CONDITIONS AND A CONSTANT THREAT OF UNEMPLOYMENT, RESTRICTION OF NEEDS, AND INABILITY TO ACT ON REALIZATIONS ABOUT THE SITUATION. CRIME IS AN INDIVIDUAL ANARCHICAL PROTEST REACTION TO SINKING STATUS AND WORSENING CONTRADICTIONS WITHIN THE SYSTEM. GOALS OF INSTITUTIONAL RESOCIALIZATION THROUGH SOCIAL WORK SHOULD INVOLVE GIVING OFFENDERS INSIGHT INTO THE SOCIAL CAUSES FOR THEIR BEHAVIOR, TEACHING THEM TO VIEW THEIR SITUATIONS REALISTICALLY, AND ASSURING THEM OF THEIR CAPABILITIES FOR ACTION AND SATISFACTION OF NEEDS. OFFENDERS MUST LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THE DEMANDS MADE ON THEM BY SOCIETY AS WELL AS THE ACTIONS REQUIRED TO MEET THESE DEMANDS AND TO COORDINATE THE DEMANDS WITH THEIR OWN NEEDS. AN OBSTACLE TO SUCH RESOCIALIZATION MEASURES IS THE OFFICIAL RESISTANCE ENCOUNTERED BY SOCIAL WORKERS WHO TRY TO EMANCIPATE OFFENDERS RATHER THAN TO ADMINISTER EXISTING SOCIAL DISPARITIES SMOOTHLY. NOTES ARE SUPPLIED. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)