суббота, 27 апреля 2019 г.

Community Resources For Exoffenders And Loved Ones

By Elizabeth Hill


Having a loved one in jail or prison can often be difficult. For, visiting hours are often limited to one or two hours per week. Whereas, loved ones are not always prepared for all that goes on once the individual is released. With this in mind, there are several organizations which have published information in this area, including eight ways loved ones can help as well as a list of resources for exoffenders.

The 8 ways loved ones can help an exoffender include assisting in a job search, locating food banks, churches and support groups, restructuring the relationship, saving money and knowing any restrictions placed on the individual by the court. While most accept help from loved ones in these areas, there are others whom reject help from anyone. In most cases, these individuals are more likely to reoffend than others. If and when doing so while on probation or parole, the actions need to be reported to the proper authorities as soon as possible.

Recently released individuals often have specific stipulations as a condition of release. These often include, electronic monitoring, drug and alcohol tests, community service, geographic travel limitations and a mandatory job search. In some cases, the individual must remain in a half-way house type setting for several months before being able to rent an apartment, buy a car or purchase a home.

Saving money in order to provide short term help upon the individual's release is also a good idea. For, depending on how long the individual has been incarcerated, readjusting to outside society can often be difficult. In addition, ex-offenders often need pocket money for bus fare, cab fare or gas to meet with parole officers, attend job interviews and for other essentials.

If able to support a loved one in this manner, it is important to make known that the help is only short-term and conditional upon efforts to find a job and a place to live without violating any conditions of the release. Otherwise, it is important to stop providing such support, as doing so could potentially have negative effects on the exoffender, the loved one or the overall relationship.

Most often, loved ones become very excited over a loved one's release from jail or prison. In most cases, loved ones are envisioning the relationship with the ex-offender as it was before the individual was incarcerated. While things may not have changed as much for those whom have only been incarcerated for a short period of time, individuals incarcerated for six months or longer often have difficulty when it comes to re-establishing past relationships.

With regards to an exoffender's needs in the future, loved ones can be very helpful when it comes to seeking out support groups, churches, talking with children, counseling and other services. Although, depending on circumstance, counselors can often provide better resources when it comes to finding the right church or support group. Whereas, loved ones are often more effective when it comes to talking to children associated with an exoffender.

There are a number of websites which can also provide information and resources to exoffenders based on geographic location. These include, second chance jobs, how to find a job after prison, interview preparation, resume writing courses and companies which will hire ex-offenders. Whereas, other locally based programs and resources often include community service work, counseling for ex-offenders, emotional and physical well being and volunteering.




About the Author:



Комментариев нет:

Отправить комментарий