NCJ Number
29089
Date Published
1973
Length
42 pages
Annotation
THE PURPOSE OF THE DAY WORK PROGRAM IS TO ALLOW INMATES TO EXPERIENCE A GRADUAL REINTRODUCTION TO SOCIETY AS OPPOSED TO AN ABRUPT JUMP FROM PRISON TO STREET.
Abstract
THE SELECTED INMATES LIVE IN A REINTEGRATION RESIDENCE LOCATED NEAR, BUT OUTSIDE OF, THE INSTITUTION. THIS SEPARATES THEM FROM WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED THE ANTIREHABILITATIVE INMATE SOCIAL SYSTEM WITHIN THE INSTITUTION. SECONDLY, THE INMATES WORK AT JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY DURING THE DAY AND RETURN TO THE RESIDENCE TO SPEND THEIR NON-WORKING HOURS. THIS ALLOWS FOR INTERACTION WITH NON-INMATES AT WORK AS WELL AS PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE OFFENDER TO PARTICIPATE IN MAJOR ECONOMIC ROLES. IN ADDITION TO ACCUMULATING SAVINGS FROM THEIR WAGES, INMATES IN THE PROGRAM ARE PARTICIPATING IN ECONOMIC ROLES BY PAYING STATE AND FEDERAL TAXES, BY PAYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, AND BY PAYING FOR THE COSTS OF THEIR ROOM, BOARD, AND PERSONAL EXPENDITURES. FURTHERMORE, A PORTION OF THEIR PAY IS OFTEN ALLOCATED TO SUPPORT DEPENDENTS OR TO PAY OFF DEBTS OR COURT COSTS ACCUMULATED BEFORE INCARCERATION. WHEN RELEASED FROM PRISON, THE INMATE RECEIVES HIS ACCUMULATED EARNINGS LESS THE DEDUCTIONS FOR ROOM, BOARD, TAXES, PERSONAL EXPENDITURES, AND OUTSIDE ALLOTMENTS. THE REMAINING ACCUMULATED EARNINGS PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL RESOURCE FOR THE INMATES' REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY WHEN RELEASED. THE EVALUATION DETERMINED THAT THE DAY WORK PARTICIPANTS DID NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER RECIDIVISM RATE THAN THE TWO CONTROL GROUPS. ALSO, INMATES WITH EITHER SERIOUS DISCIPLINARY RECORDS OR INMATES WHO WERE YOUNG WITH LONG RECORDS WERE FOUND TO BE MORE LIKELY TO RECIDIVATE AFTER PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)