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VOLUNTEERISM IN CORRECTIONS - A LOOK TO THE FUTURE

NCJ Number
48087
Journal
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: (1977) Pages: 134-141
Author(s)
I H SHEIER
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS AND VOLUNTEER PATTERNS AMONG NATIONAL GROUPS ARE ANALYZED.
Abstract
ALL COUNTRIES OF DEMOCRATIC SPIRIT APPEAR TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF CORRECTIONAL VOLUNTEER EFFORT. THIS INTERNATIONAL CORRECTIONAL VOLUNTEER CONSTITUENCY OFTEN CONGREGATES FOR IDEA- AND INFORMATION-SHARING. RECENTLY IT SEEMS THAT THE INTERNATIONAL IDENTITY AND MISSION AMONG CORRECTIONAL VOLUNTEERS HAS BEEN INCREASING. THE PROBLEMS NEVERTHELESS REMAIN THE SAME: THERE IS EITHER INSUFFICIENT STAFF ACCEPTANCE AND SUPPORT FOR THE VOLUNTEERS OR A LACK OF VOLUNTEERS IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE NATIONAL INFORMATION CENTER ON VOLUNTEERISM (NICOV) IN CANADA IS DEVELOPING ITS OWN RESPONSE TO THE CHALLENGING SITUATION. ONE NEW APPROACH INVOLVES STAFF PARTICIPATION IN THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM DESIGN FROM ITS INCEPTION. NICOV IS WORKING WITH NEW LOW-TIME-COST MODELS OF VOLUNTEER EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE RESISTANCE TO VOLUNTEERS ON THE PART OF THE STAFF. THE SYSTEM IS ALSO TRYING TO RECRUIT NEW STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE RECEPTIVE TO VOLUNTEERS. THE NOTION OF VOLUNTEERS IS INTERPRETED BROADLY TO INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO PROVIDE JOBS FOR OFFENDERS, PEOPLE WHOSE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN ON-CALL BASIS, PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE SUBSISTENCE SALARIES, AND STAFF WHO WORK OVERTIME WITHOUT COMPENSATION BY CHOICE. THE USE OF ISSUE-ORIENTED VOLUNTEERING IN COMBINATION WITH SERVICE VOLUNTEERING IS ANOTHER CREATIVE RESPONSE MEASURE. THERE IS NOW AN EMPHASIS ON AN IMPROVED TRAINING PROGRAM FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR POLICYMAKING BOARD OR COMMITTEE ROLES. ANOTHER CREATIVE RESPONSE FOR THE FUTURE WOULD BE A NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF VOLUNTEERS FROM ACROSS ALL SERVICE AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE TO THE COMMUNITY AND THEREFORE TO CORRECTIONS. (JSP)

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