Inmate Reintegration into the Community - Research Paper Example

Inmate Reintegration into the Community Abstract: Long imprisonment terms have not helped in reducing repeated crimes in the United States. Many ex-offenders experience isolation and mental illness after completion of their imprisonment terms. Community based programs aimed at drug addiction treatment, mental illness treatment, counseling, financial support, vocational skills training and life skills training have assisted ex-offenders reintegrate successfully in the community. Inmate reintegration into the community Introduction Placing criminals in custody alone has not helped solve the crime problem in the United States of America (Siegel & Senna, 2008). Over the past decade, the prison population has steadily increased. 95 percent of the offenders in prisons have a chance of going back to the community. Although the number of prisoners serving long sentences has increased considerably over the past few years, the number of the offenders serving life sentences is declining. Unsuccessful reintegration of the offenders and recidivism is an alarming issue that is facing the Department of Correctional services (Siegel & Senna, 2008). Prisoners hardly go through pre-release programs that can help them develop social and personal skills that are essential in integrating back in the society. A considerable number of the prisoners suffer from alcohol and drug related problems (Hanser & Barton-Bellessa, 2012). Other prisoners develop mental problems before completing their long sentences. Drug abuse and alcohol use are rampant in the US prisons, thus many prisoners encounter alcohol related problems and drug abuse upon release to the community. Such prisoners end up being rejected and isolated in the community, hence leading to homelessness and lack of employment (Gideon & Sung, 2010). This paper will review professional literature to identify community based programs that have assisted in successful reintegration of the ex-offenders in the community (Hanser & Barton-Bellessa, 2012). In order to combat recidivism, enhance public safety and alleviate the fiscal costs of returning the ex-offenders in the prisons, community based programs have assisted in reintegrating the offenders in the community. More than half million prisoners complete their sentences each year (Siegel & Senna, 2008). The Department of corrections is inadequately equipped to offer reentry programs to all the ex-offenders. Such ex-offender needs such as drug treatment and mental illness care may not be met by the Department of correctional services. Successful community based programs include provision of employment opportunities, vocational skills training, drug and alcohol treatment (Gideon & Sung, 2010). The Young Offender Initiative has helped communities improve supervision of offenders (Hanser & Barton-Bellessa, 2012). Preparation of the community to receive the ex-offenders enhances the reintegration in the society. Community based programs range from counseling services, drug and alcohol abuse support links, employment opportunities, vocational training, mentoring support, rehabilitation, spiritual and cultural support, life skills training, recreational support, mental illness treatment and restorative justice commitments by the members of the society (Siegel & Senna, 2008). Provision of education opportunities Literacy community programs have been designed to help ex-offenders without high school diploma to attain a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Ex-offenders with English speaking problems are helped to achieve eighth grade of English proficiency level. More than 20,000 inmates have acquired English proficiency level. The education programs include training on life skills and emotion control skills. The ex-offenders have been educated on the need to respect the rule of law and abstain from crimes. Education enhances the ability of the ex-offender to reintegrate back in the society and also reduces the chances of repeat offenses (Siegel & Senna, 2008). Vocational training Community based programs are aimed at providing the ex-offender with adequate vocational skills. This may be acquired through on-job training of the ex-offender or institutional work assignments that aim at making the ex-offender self-reliant (Gideon & Sung, 2010). Community based programs provide occupational training in manual jobs such as masonry, carpentry and machine operation. Occupational training enhances the ability of the ex-offender to secure employment and desist from repeat crimes (Siegel & Senna, 2008). Provision of employment opportunities Most of the prisoners leave the prisons with no source of income at all. Juvenile offenders who may be serving long sentences miss the schooling, thus community based programs have aimed at providing employment opportunities for the ex-offenders (Gideon & Sung, 2010). Community service placement and employment agency referrals assist the ex-offenders to secure jobs. The programs include pre-employment training, work attitudes assessments and coaching in order to enhance the chances of employment (Siegel & Senna, 2008). Drug and alcohol treatment Drugs and alcohol are easily accessible in the US prisons. Most of the prisoners serving long sentences leave the prison facilities with drug related depression and trauma. These ex-offenders face a harsh lifestyle once out of jail since they lack the economic resources to finance their drug addiction needs (Gideon & Sung, 2010). Drug abuse creates a risk factor that makes ex-offenders engage in repeat crimes since many of them join drug-related gangs once out of prison. Drug related treatment includes home visitation by the care providers and counseling services (Siegel & Senna, 2008). Community mentoring Community mentoring helps the ex-offender establish good relationships with the rest of community members. This enables the ex-offender plan his life by setting new life goals and dealing with emotional situations. Mentoring includes establishing religious support and cultural support since the ex-offender may experience cultural clash in the community (Levinson, 2002). A community service scheme like “Enhancement of Traffic Service and Accident Prevention” during the New Year season has helped ex-offenders initially convicted for traffic related offenses serve the communities, thus leading to reduction in the number of accidents in the highways (Siegel & Senna, 2008). Mental illness treatment Some community based programs have enlisted the services of psychologists and physicians who provide diagnosis, treatment and counseling to the ex-offenders suffering from mental illness (Levinson, 2002). This is done through psychiatric evaluations and comprehensive interview tests that assist the psychologist in determining the treatment plan to the ex-offender. These programs aim at enhancing the ex-offenders independent brain functioning, managing impulse and ex-offender’s violence and also providing social support (Siegel & Senna, 2008). Recreation facilities and sporting events programs Prisoners may suffer from excessive stress and tension while serving long sentences. Community based programs that provide ex-offenders with recreational facilities and sporting equipments help keep the ex-offender physically and mentally fit. Stress hinders the rational thinking of the ex-offender, thus ex-offenders suffering from mental stress may experience isolation in the community (Levinson, 2002). Provision of basic services Community based programs assist the ex-offenders to assess welfare services such as food, transport and housing services at reduced prices. Ex-offenders get financial assistance to purchase necessities such as medicine, clothing and pay housing rent. These types of programs include anger management, money management skills and social skills training (Hanser & Barton-Bellessa, 2012). Case study A good example of community based program that assists ex-offender reintegrate in the community are the Detroit Transition of Prisoners (TOP) and Alternatives to Violence (ATV). Detroit Transition of Prisoners (TOP) provides basic services to the ex-offenders and their families. The program also provides religious support and counseling services that enable ex-offenders become accountable for their lives. Alternatives to Violence (ATV) mainly focus on social and life skills development that assists in conflict resolution (Hanser & Barton-Bellessa, 2012). Conclusion Community based programs have assisted inmates reintegrate back in the society. These programs include mental illness treatment, assistance with basic welfare needs, provision of recreational facilities and vocational skills training. These programs have helped reduce the repeat crime levels. References Gideon, L., & Sung, H. (2010). Rethinking corrections: rehabilitation, reentry and reintegration. Los Angeles: Sage. Hanser, R., & Barton-Bellessa, S. (2012). Community-based corrections: a text, reader. Los Angeles: Sage. Levinson, D. (2002). Encyclopedia of crime and punishment: Volume I-IV. Los Angeles: Sage. Siegel, L., & Senna, J. (2008). Introduction to criminal justice. Belmont: Thomson. Read More