NCJ Number
52197
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 56 Issue: 2 Dated: (AUTUMN/WINTER 1976) Pages: 11-17
Date Published
1976
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION OF CITIZENS WHICH ADVOCATES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME CONTROL AND IN THE REINTEGRATION OF OFFENDERS INTO SOCIETY IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE ACTIVITIES AND GOALS OF THE JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY ARE BASED ON THE IDEA THAT SINCE CRIME IS ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY, THE COMMUNITY MUST TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEALING WITH THE PROBLEMS OF CRIME AND OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SOCIETY ARE TO PREVENT UNCONVICTED OFFENDERS, PRISON INMATES AND EX-OFFENDERS FROM CONTINUING THEIR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR; TO INSURE THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS EFFECTIVE AND FAIR; AND TO INFORM CITIZENS ABOUT CRIME IN THE COMMUNITY AND INVOLVE THEM IN EFFECTIVE CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION. IN KEEPING WITH THESE OBJECTIVES, THE SOCIETY'S SERVICES TO OFFENDERS AND EX-OFFENDERS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: INDIVIDUALIZED COUNSELING, FAMILY COUNSELING FOR THE OFFENDER AND HIS FAMILY, CRISIS INTERVENTION, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SEVICES, SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, GROUP SERVICES, RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, LEISURE AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION OF WIVES AND RELATIVES, PRISON VISITATION AND PRERELEASE PLANNING, PAROLE SUPERVISION, SPONSORSHIP OF TEMPORARY LEAVES OF ABSENCE FOR GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS, AND ADVOCACY. AS ADVOCATES, SOCIETY PERSONNEL REPRESENT THE CLIENTS' NEEDS FOR OR RIGHTS TO PRIVILEGES, BENEFITS, OR SERVICES WHERE THEIR ABILITY TO REPRESENT THEMSELVES IS LIMITED BY PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND RESOURCES. FORMER OFFENDERS ARE USED AS A MANPOWER RESOURCE. THE SOCIETY'S COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS PROVIDE EFFECTIVE BASES FOR DEVELOPING AND DELIVERING CONSTRUCTIVE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES. THE SOCIETY HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN PENAL REFORM, AND MANY OF ITS SUGGESTIONS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED. WHILE THE SOCIETY CONTINUES ITS INVOLVEMENT IN DIRECT PAROLE SUPERVISION, A SUBSTANTIAL DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES AND COMMUNITY ASSESSMENTS REFERRED TO THEM IN THE PAST FEW YEARS IS NOTED. THIS IS ATTRIBUTED IN PART TO A DECREASE IN PAROLES GRANTED AND TO INCREASES IN STAFF OF THE NATIONAL PAROLE SERVICE ACROSS CANADA. THE JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY HAS CONTINUOUSLY SOUGHT TO DEVELOP A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE NATIONAL PAROLE SERVICE IN THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES AND CONTINUES TO BE PART OF AN INTEGRATED PROCESS OF CORRECTIONS INVOLVING BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES.