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Social Skills in Prison and the Community Problem Solving for Offenders

NCJ Number
94346
Author(s)
P Priestley; J McGuire; D Flegg; V Hemsley; D Welham; R Barnitt
Date Published
1984
Length
201 pages
Annotation
This book describes the development and testing of a course designed to teach offenders how to cope with problems they face when released into the community: finding and keeping work and accommodations, managing money and leisure time, getting on with other people, and controlling drinking and violent behavior.
Abstract
The authors discuss problems men face when they leave prisons and outline the development of materials for a release course and staff training to conduct the classes. During 1976 and 1977, 224 inmates from Ranby and Ashwell prisons in England and 123 individuals from a day training center took the course. All completed questionnaires on what problems they felt they might have on release, as well as weekly course evaluations. Both prison populations consisted largely of men in their late 20's and early 30's, of whom about one-third were married. They had substantial criminal records, mostly for property offenses. The men sentenced to day center training were on the average a little older, but also had several previous convictions, largely for property offenses, and very unstable work patterns. Survey responses indicated that most ex-offenders will have a problem connected with work, more than half will be concerned with family difficulties, several will have accommodation problems, and a minority will be problem drinkers. The book details the content and conduct of the course created to meet these needs, with illustrations from specific sessions. Evaluative data, including participants' comments, are presented. While no clear conclusions could be drawn concerning recidivism, it appeared that the Ashwell members gained some benefits from attending the course. In addition, violent offenders from Ranby who took the course were less likely to be reconvicted of violent offenses after release. Tables, survey questionnaires, footnotes, over 120 references, and an index are supplied.

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