NCJ Number
73820
Date Published
1978
Length
42 pages
Annotation
This British paper identifies the appropriate stages in the penal process during which an offender can benefit most effectively from participating in manpower training and employment programs.
Abstract
While drawing on illustrations from employment programs in the United States and Great Britain, the paper mainly focuses on examining the options and resources available to probation officers in Great Britain. The first section deals with employment opportunities for offenders run by the probation service or voluntary organizations in the noncustodial sphere. These include pretrial intervention, day training centers, community service, hostels, and supported employment. Next, the paper concentrates on the prison experience and examines some experiments in vocational training, career counseling, and postrelease services. The third section looks at the role the probation service and other agencies can play in job development and placement services. The final section examines employment opportunities and barriers in the private and public sectors. The paper notes that although there have been some signs of success in a number of projects, no positive conclusions can be drawn until more research is done. The report recommends that interested agencies should test new strategies and develop effective monitoring and evaluation systems; that greater selectivity should be used in choosing offenders for manpower programs; and that early intervention strategies, such as pretrial help, should be developed. A bibliography of 45 references is provided. A list of British Government employment services is appended. (Author abstract modified)