NCJ Number
212788
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2005 Pages: 97-107
Date Published
2005
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This commentary provides insights into perceptual and contextual data regarding former prisoners and how they are led to view the world and how they can become assets within the community-oriented policing strategy in those high-risk neighborhoods that most former prisoners return to.
Abstract
Research shows a significantly large number of former prisoners returning from prison to select communities, predominantly disadvantaged urban neighborhoods where there is a rise in community-oriented policing. With this, there is a need for former prisoners and police to find ways in which to work together in order to succeed in enhancing public safety in high-risk areas. This commentary examines how former prisoners can position themselves within community-oriented policing strategies as assets or “seeds,” as opposed to liabilities or “weeds.” It takes the perspective of the former prisoner and attempts to humanize and contextualize the problem by providing a discussion dominated and grounded in lived experiences. It is through this collaboration, modeling mutual respect and a spirit of inclusion, that police and ex-offenders may come together to work for enhanced public safety. References