THE CHURCH ARMY WAS FOUNDED IN 1882 BY AN ANGLICAN PRIEST WHO BELIEVED THAT AN ORGANIZATION OF WORKING CLASS LAYMEN AND LAYWOMEN COULD EFFECTIVELY SERVE THE NEEDS OF PRISONERS AND OTHERS FROM DEPRIVED BACKGROUNDS. WITHIN A FEW YEARS OF ITS FOUNDING, CHURCH ARMY OFFICERS WERE HOLDING REGULAR SERVICES IN PRISONS THROUGHOUT ENGLAND. TODAY MANY OF THE LARGER PRISONS HAVE A CHURCH ARMY OFFICER ON THE STAFF. IN 1902 THE HOME OFFICE REGISTERED THE CHURCH ARMY AS AN OFFICIAL DISCHARGED PRISONERS' AID SOCIETY. CHURCH ARMY OFFICERS COUNSEL PRISONERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE HOLDING DISTORTED AND DEBILITATING RELIGIOUS CONCEPTS. AT TIME OF DISCHARGE THE CHURCH ARMY HELPS RELEASEES FIND HOUSING UPON REQUEST. IF THE EX-INMATE PREFERS, THIS COULD MEAN STAYING IN ONE OF THE 20 ARMY HOSTELS LOCATED IN VARIOUS PARTS OF ENGLAND. EACH HOSTEL USUALLY HOUSES 50 OR MORE MEN BECAUSE IT IS ECONOMICALLY DIFFICULT TO HOUSE LESS. OLDER EX-OFFENDERS WHO HAVE SPENT MUCH TIME IN PRISON APPARENTLY PREFER THE LARGE HOSTEL, WHILE THE YOUNGER EX-OFFENDERS GENERALLY SEEK SMALLER UNITS OF ACCOMMODATION. IN THE LARGE CITIES, SUCH HOUSING IS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN. SOME OF THE HOSTELS ARE SPECIALIZED; FOR EXAMPLE, IN LONDON THERE ARE TWO YOUTH HOSTELS -- ONE FOR YOUTHS AT RISK OF DRUG ADDICTION AND THE OTHER FOR BOYS WHO HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW AND CHIEFLY NEED A PLACE TO LIVE. THE TREND IS TOWARD INCREASING SPECIALIZATION IN THE HOSTELS IN ORDER TO CARE PROPERLY FOR THE RESIDENTS. IN ADDITION TO HAVING A RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION, STAFF MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN SECULAR SOCIAL WORK. THE ARMY ALSO PROVIDES SERVICES FOR PRISONERS' FAMILIES. THE CHURCH ARMY MAKES EVERY EFFORT TO WORK IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH PROBATION DEPARTMENTS AND SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)