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VOLUNTEERS IN CORRECTIONS - WHY NOT INMATES

NCJ Number
39437
Journal
CRIME ET/AND JUSTICE Volume: 4 Issue: 2-3 Dated: (AUGUST-NOVEMBER 1976) Pages: 139-146
Author(s)
P GENDREAU; H A MARQUIS; L HUDSON
Date Published
1976
Length
8 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTION OF AN EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM, INITIATED AT A MEDIUM SECURITY INSTITUTION IN ONTARIO, WHICH ENGAGED INMATES IN A FIVE-DAY A WEEK VOLUNTEER SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY.
Abstract
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM WAS PREDICATED ON THE BELIEF THAT PLACING INMATES IN AN OUTSIDE SETTING WOULD DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF CONTACT WITH NONCRIMINAL OTHERS (DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION) AND ALLOW THE INMATE TO PRACTICE BEHAVIORS AND WORK HABITS IN A 'REAL WORLD' SETTING (NORMALIZATION). IT WAS ALSO FELT THAT HAVING INMATES HELP THOSE WHO WERE LESS FORTUNATE (PATIENTS AT A TRAINING CENTER FOR RETARDATES AND MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM GERIATRIC PATIENTS AT A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL) WOULD AID IN MODIFYING THEIR SELF-ESTEEM AND CAPACITY TO EMPATHIZE. A TOTAL OF 59 INMATES COMPLETED THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AT THE TRAINING CENTER WITH AN AVERAGE STAY OF 13 WEEKS, SEVEN AND ONE HALF HOURS A DAY. THE 36 INMATES WHO WERE VOLUNTEERS AT THE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL AVERAGED STAYS OF 11 WEEKS. EIGHTY-THREE PERCENT OF ALL VOLUNTEERS SUCCESSFULLY PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM. HOSPITAL STAFF RATINGS WERE 81 PERCENT POSITIVE ON INMATES' SOCIAL AND WORK BEHAVIOR. TRAINING CENTER GAVE RATINGS OF 82 PERCENT ON INMATE'S RESPONSE TO SUPERVISION AND RELATIONS WITH STAFF. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT RESIDENTS GENERALLY SHOWED A TENDENCY TOWARDS SOME BEHAVIORS CONSISTENT WITH DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION AND NORMALIZATION PRINCIPLES. IN ADDITION, THE VOLUNTEER SERVICES PROVIDED (OVER $109,000 WORTH) ALLOWED EXISTING HOSPITAL AND TRAINING CENTER STAFF MORE TIME FOR INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. --SUMMARY IN FRENCH....ELW

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