NCJ Number
14896
Journal
Revue internationale de criminologie et de police technique Volume: 26 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1973) Pages: 397-399 P 397-399
Date Published
1973
Length
3 pages
Annotation
ACTIVITIES OF THE 'COMITES DE PATRONAGE' - VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS IN BELGIUM WHICH PROVIDE SOCIAL COUNSELING FOR INMATES AND PAROLEES TO AID IN RESOCIALIZATION.
Abstract
THE SOCIAL SERVICES DIVISION OF THE PRISON SYSTEM ENTRUSTS THE COUNSELING OF INDIVIDUAL CASES TO THE ORGANIZATION. VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION MAY WORK ON THE CASE, BUT RESPONSIBILITY MUST BE HELD BY A MEMBER. THE VOLUNTEERS BUILD PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OFFENDERS TO COMPENSATE FOR AN ASSUMED DEPRIVATION OF AFFECTION EARLIER IN LIFE. THROUGH THIS RELATIONSHIP, THE VOLUNTEERS ENCOURAGE THE INMATE OR PAROLEE TO ACCEPT SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES, SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT, AND GIVE HIM THE FEELING THAT SOMEONE IS AVAILABLE TO HELP HIM SOLVE HIS PROBLEMS. THE AUTHOR EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING CONTACT WITH THE OFFENDER AS SOON AS HE IS INCARCERATED. (THIS IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE SINCE LEGALLY THE ORGANIZATION CAN ONLY COUNSEL THOSE PERSONS WHO HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A SENTENCE.) HE FURTHER RECOMMENDS INVOLVING THE SPOUSE OF THE OFFENDER IN THE COUNSELING PROCESS FROM THE DAY OF THE ARREST. HE ALSO RECOMMENDS REPORTS FROM COUNSELORS WHICH EVALUATE THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE OFFENDER. --IN FRENCH