Community Based Corrections: Halfway House - Research Paper Example

 Community Based Corrections: Halfway House Introduction: Halfway houses are parts of community based correction methods where offenders are allowed to live their normal social lives with strict supervisions being maintained on them. The halfway houses provide all kinds of residential facilities as well as treatments to the offenders along with maintaining a continuous supervision on them and their activities. Such halfway houses have been obtained to have significant effects that include both positive and negative effects. While on one hand, the halfway houses provide all the residential and other facilities to the offenders to help them lead normal lives while getting corrected on their wrongdoings; on the other hand, there are resistances from the society who fear the danger from such offenders on them and their families. The primary purpose of the halfway houses as a form of correctional measure for offenders is to provide the offenders with the facilities for rehabilitation and residences such that they can live their lives and work for themselves under a continuous supervision (Halfway House, 2001). There are certain principles that support the effectiveness of the community based correctional measures. Firstly, the program needs to focus on the factors that are essential for understanding the needs of the offender and what had primarily caused him/her to commit the crime. Understanding of such factors leads to serving the offenders accordingly thus helping them to improve their status. Secondly, the thinking and attitude of the criminal minds are necessary to be understood in order to change their negative attitudes towards betterment for themselves as well as for the society. Thirdly, an assessment of the risk factors needs to be conducted for an understanding whether allowing the offender to move freely in the society would be safe or not (Principles of Effective Offender, 2007). The present study focuses on the determination of a guiding program of community based corrections based on halfway houses considering the re-entry of ex-offenders going back into the community. Re-entry of Ex-Offenders in the Society: Re-entry of offenders into the community focuses on preparing criminals in a manner such that they are capable of living in the society following the rules of the law. The programs of re-entry have been divided into certain phases. These include “programs that prepare offenders to reenter society while they are in prison, programs that connect ex-offenders with services immediately after they are released from prison, and programs that provide long-term support and supervision for ex-offenders as they settle into communities permanently” (Nunez-Neto, 2008, p.1). Thus to create a program in order to rehabilitate ex-offenders in the society, the program needs to be focused on enabling them to encourage a changeover in their lives. Such a program needs to be determined that might not only care for the offenders and their mental conditions but also make them successful in being parts of their societies. The programs would particularly be focused on those inmates who themselves intend to change their lives and return to normal behavior and activities within a society (News/Events, n.d.). In this particular study, a focus would be made to determine such a program for the reentry of ex offenders in the society based on a theoretical framework. Correctional Process- Halfway Houses: A Theoretical Understanding: Considering the prisoners’ information in the United States, it has been obtained that in the recent years; the number of prisoners has been increasingly rising. This can be realized to have significant impacts on the authorities and the state budgets as well, that would eventually consider releasing the offenders. While releasing the offenders makes sense to the problems associated with the governments and the prison authorities; on the other hand, there are concerns about the impacts on the society and the families as a result of offenders being free to move within a community. It has also been comprehended that in order to let the offenders successfully be parts of the society, neighborhood collaboration is highly essential. In general, offenders tend to have the supports of their family members. However, in regard to the needs of employment, or proper treatment, it becomes difficult for the other neighbors to provide the offenders with similar support (Reentry Helping Former Prisoners Return to Communities, 2005). In the US and the UK, most of the rehabilitation programs are based on cognitive behavior with expectations of the cognitive attitude to have significant positive effects on the offenders. Cognitive behavior has been found to assist the offenders more in returning to normal lifestyles. This is primarily because programs based on such cognition tend to focus on the need of the offenders by determining their thinking patterns and attitudes towards life and activities. The programs are meant to empathize with the mental states of the offenders and understand their feelings such that they can be assisted in correcting themselves and take the correct decisions in leading normal lives (Balfour, 2004, p.65). Studies by Latessa (n.d.) stressed on the fact that there are certain principles that need to be considered while determining programs for correction of offenders leading them to reenter the societies. According to Latessa, the most important factor in this regard is to determine the offenders who need to be targeted at first. These are mostly those individuals who are at the greatest threat of committing criminal activities again once their punishment gets over. This has been referred as the risk principle, where risk has been associated with the offenders trying to commit crimes repeatedly. The study also focuses on the fact that individuals who do not need the correctional programs should not be included in such programs. This would otherwise lead to unnecessary expenditure on resources. Moreover, the offenders who pose lesser or negligible threats to the societies might get affected if they are treated with high risk offenders. Also, low risk offenders need to be kept separated from high risk offenders since the community people tend to have less support for them as they fear harm to their families. While this fear might be associated with the high risk offenders; this can prove to have negative effects on the lower risk offenders. Another principle or theory that Latessa has discussed is the need principle. While the risk principle stresses on whom to aim at, the need principle has its focus on what to aim at. This includes the criminal issues and factors that might be associated with the activities of the offenders or activities that the offenders might found interest in. “The need principle states that programs should target crime producing needs, such as anti-social peer associations, substance abuse, lack of problem solving and self-control skills, and other factors that are highly correlated with criminal conduct” (Latessa, n.d.). Treatment principle is the third principle that Latessa studied that focuses on how a program should assess the risk and need factors and accordingly target the offenders towards improved lives. Behavioral programs that are focused on the situations responsible for the current state of the offenders have been found to be significantly effective. Such programs are more oriented towards actions than words and hence stress on giving appropriate lessons to the offenders trying to mentally prepare them for the social behavior, new skills and innovative and correct thinking that would be beneficial for the society as a whole. Motivation and participation of the offenders need to be carefully taken care of. Moreover Latessa mentioned that the quality of the program should also be taken concern of and maintained for significant results (Latessa, n.d.). Prisoner Reentry: Program Building: Considering the purpose of offender reentry in the community, it can be realized that it is a matter of concern for the safety of the community. Also, such programs enable the police authorities to be involved in community policing and problem oriented policing dealing with the issues of high risk offenders. The participation of law enforcement agencies has been found to have been relevant more in theory than in practice since in several cases they are not actively involved in offender reentry. There are in fact conflicts in understanding what role they should actually play in such reentry programs. In order to successfully build up a reentry program for offenders, certain theoretical measures need to be considered that have been discussed by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (Building an Offender Reentry Program: A Guide for Law Enforcement, n.d., pp.1-8). The first of these steps include identifying and developing goals which are primarily to improve safety of the public, as well as reduce the levels of crime. In the process the different forms of crimes need to be analyzed and understood in order to determine the nature of the problem associate with the criminal act such that suitable programs might be implemented. Once the goals are determined, the next step would be to take concerns about the resources available and that would be required for the successful implementation of the programs. Such resources would include personnel or funds, and also focus on the active participation of different departments associated with the program (Building an Offender Reentry Program: A Guide for Law Enforcement, n.d., p.8). There are certain barriers as well that are essential to be realized in the process of determining offender reentry programs. Some of these factors include lack of proper housing, lack of sufficient education, lack of employment and proper training, as well as lack of support from the family that cause difficulties in enabling successful offender reentry programs. While designing the programs, suitable partners would also be necessary that would combine work with the law enforcement agencies in achieving prevention of crimes and safety of the public. The selection of partners would depend on the strategy of the program such that the partnerships enable achievement of the goals of the program. In this regard, it is also essential that the objectives of the program are explained and understood clearly to the partners as well (Building an Offender Reentry Program: A Guide for Law Enforcement, n.d., p.8). Finally the program should have a strategy stating the objectives and goals of the program. The success of the program also needs to be monitored and measured. Hence benchmarks may be used for comparative analysis of the success of the program. The objectives of the programs are essential to include factors like the employment of these offenders such that they may do something for themselves instead of attempting crimes again. Supervision proves to be the most important part of the program well (Building an Offender Reentry Program: A Guide for Law Enforcement, n.d., pp.8-9) as these offenders are allowed to live normal lives but under strict supervision as reflected through the correctional problem using halfway houses. The Correctional Halfway Houses: In Theoretical Context: Halfway houses offer regulation and control for twenty-four hours and broad-spectrum psychoanalysis and support to offenders. Treatment or other related programming might also be provided by some halfway houses. Typically, offenders live in halfway houses while they work, find a job, go to school or attend treatment or other programming. Halfway houses need to stick on to certain standards established by the correctional authorities of particular countries. These standards are considered to make certain of the service quality, responsibility, reliability, protection for staff and clients, efficient development and managing, and suitable assessment. The minimum standards ensure that the agency involved in the correctional halfway house program state the names and documents associated with the clients, their arrivals and departures, and planning suitable interventions for the offenders (Halfway House, 2001). Thus the primary theory behind halfway houses is to provide the possibility of encouraging the offenders towards normal lives and thus enable a crime free society (Begg, Hobart & Tasmania, n.d., p.275). As mentioned earlier, cognitive behavior is an important part of the theoretical aspect of correctional halfway houses. The cognitive theory believes in the fact that the view of an individual can change from the real experiences that he/she is made to encounter in life. The combination of the cognitive theory with behavioral theory having its focus on external behaviors enables the determination of suitable programs for the reentry of offenders (Milkman & Wanberg, 2007, pp.5-6). Based on the above theoretical understanding of the correctional halfway houses, a suitable program may be determined for the reentry of ex-offenders successfully in the society. Program for Reentry of Ex-Offenders in the Community Using Halfway Houses Based on Theoretical Framework: The study has already discussed about the theories and the context in which the halfway houses can be used for the intent of reentry of ex offenders within the society. It can be understood that depending on the mental state of the offenders, if they are unable to encourage a changeover in their lives, then they might repeat their acts of crimes. Thus the need principle is essential to be considered while designing of the program (Mease, n.d., p.2). The needs in this regard would not only be focused on what the offenders would require for their changeover to normal lives, but primarily the needs would focus on deciding who the actually needy individuals are. As already studied, there might be cases where individuals are less risky and pose lesser threats of attempting crimes again. On the other hand the high risk individuals would require greater assistance in reentering the societies. Thus the correctional program using halfway houses would be focused more on the second category of people. Once it is decided as to who are the ones who need help, the program would decide on the goals. These goals would include the different measures to be undertaken as parts of the program. The most important of these measures is the act of supervision. Since halfway houses enable the free movement of the offenders while they try to live their normal lives, supervision is essential to see that these ex-offenders do not get access to drugs and alcohol or attempt to mix with wrong people (10 Treatment for Offenders Under Community Supervision, n.d.). It can be realized that without a constant monitoring, the risks or threats from the high-risk offenders might increase thereby raising the fear of the society. Hence supervision would be strictly considered. This would require suitable human resources to be employed at the right places for the activity of monitoring. The next significant factor that needs to be included as part of the program, is to provide the ex-offenders with employment. It has been obtained that owing to the criminal offenses and hence lacking of a proper background, ex-offenders often encounter difficulties to get employed once they return to normal lives. However, the correctional program using halfway houses need to focus on the fact that if the ex-offenders are rejected from workplaces and hence if they suffer from unemployment, it would have significant negative impacts on them (Finn, n.d., p.2). This measure would thus try to focus on providing the ex-offenders with jobs and employment such that they are not only involved with something constructive, but at the same time, they would have a feeling of responsibility and sincerity towards life. This would also incur human and financial resources in order to search and manage for suitable jobs for the offenders depending on their ability and skills. Along with providing with the needs of the offenders, they are also needed to be motivated and encouraged towards an understanding of the correct measures. For this purpose, specialists may be hired to directly interact with the offenders, discuss about their mental status, their difficulties, troubles, wishes. With such interactions being made possible, the mindset of the offenders can be judged and accordingly they can be involved in variety of activities or could even be provided with certain lessons or lectures to have positive influences on their minds. Ex-offenders need support in learning new skills, as well as in understanding their needs. The correctional program of halfway house would focus on working with its clients considering their preferred manner of learning, the skills that they possess, and any specific support that they might require. Analysis of these factors would enable the working members of the program to derive measures like direct interaction and understanding, trying to increase the desires of the offenders towards change, assists them in taking suitable decisions, and also helps them remove barriers (Supporting clients into learning and skills and work, n.d., pp.63-64). Finally in order to successfully implementing the planned correctional program of halfway houses for reentry of ex-offenders, the funding of the process would be equally important. Funding would be required since human resources are involved in the processes who need to be provided with compensation for their work. Moreover in order to help the ex-offenders in getting employed, funds are essential for making all arrangements. Finance would also be needed if specialists can be managed for lessons to be given to the offenders intending to encourage and motivate them to lead normal lives. Such funding can be arranged through application to the justice departments in a country applying for different grants. Funds may also be tried to be collected from private and nonprofit organizations. State agencies also assist in the process of fund raising (Broemmel, 2012). Overview of the Program Building: The construction of a correctional program for ex-offenders based on halfway houses could be planned within a theoretical framework. Theories and contexts in association with the application of the halfway houses use for reentry of offenders in the community clearly reflect on the need for the correctional measures intended towards helping the offenders undergo a changeover and lead normal lives free of crimes. It can be understood that individuals within a society would fear the free movement of offenders if they are released from prisons or probations. Hence there is a need for reentry of the offenders keeping in focus the safety of the community people. The program under halfway houses enables the living of the offenders in normal manners with strict supervisions. Thus while the program would allow and assist the offenders in reentering the society, on the other hand, the program manages to provide safety to the people in the society. The program considers its goals and objectives looking after all such relevant issues such that the offenders, once they are released, do not feel rejected by the society which would otherwise have negative impacts on their activities. Moreover, constant monitoring and motivating the offenders would focus on the society’s acceptance of these ex-offenders as well. Thus the building of the program is based on the theoretical framework that allows the proper understanding of the need for halfway houses and correctional programs and thus enables incorporating the necessary measures towards helping the offenders. Particularly the understanding of the theory of cognitive behavior proves to be significant that provides an understanding of the behavior and thinking of the offenders and how these can be affected positively through the interactions and motivation actions of the halfway house correctional program. Conclusion: The study has been focused on the reentry program of ex-offenders in the society using the correctional halfway houses. From the study it can be obtained that halfway houses are effective in helping the offenders live their normal lives being members of the society. The theoretical concepts supporting the program reflects on the cognitive behavior that enables an understanding of the behavior and thinking of the offenders and that which can positively affect them towards normal lives. In the process, deciding on who are in actual need of the correctional program, determination of the goals and objectives, and formalizing appropriate strategies constitute the different steps for the implementation of the program. The study has determined that it is essential to focus more on the high risk offenders who if ignored might repeat the criminal activities. The program being focused on providing the basic needs, understanding the difficulties and mindsets of the offenders, encouraging and motivating them towards a positive life and activities, arranging jobs and positive activities for the offenders thus keeping them busy as well as initiating responsibilities in their lives, can be expected to assist the ex-offenders significantly as well as get accepted in the society. Thus from the study it can be concluded that correctional programs based on halfway houses have the ability to enable the successful re-integration of the ex-offenders in the society provided the positive measures are considered with significant sincerity and understanding of the theoretical framework. References 1) 10 Treatment for Offenders Under Community Supervision (n.d.), NCBI, Retrieved on April 10, 2012 from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64141/ 2) Balfour, M. (2004). Theater in Prison: Theory and Practice, New Jersey: Intellect Books 3) Begg, C., Hobart & Tasmania (n.d.). The Halfway House- A Program for Currently Serving Prisoners, AIC, Retrieved on April 10, 2012 from: http://www.aic.gov.au/en/publications/previous%20series/proceedings/1-27/~/media/publications/proceedings/11/begg.pdf 4) Broemmel, M. (2012). How to Fund Community Halfway Houses for Ex-Offenders, eHow, Retrieved on April 10, 2012 from: http://www.ehow.com/how_5653281_fund-community-halfway-houses-ex_offenders.html 5) Building an Offender Reentry Program: A Guide for Law Enforcement (n.d.), BJA, Retrieved on April 9, 2012 from: https://www.bja.gov/publications/reentry_le.pdf 6) Finn, P. (n.d.). Successful Job Placement for Ex-Offenders: The Center for Employment Opportunities, NCJRS, Retrieved on April 10, 2012 from: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/168102.pdf 7) Halfway House (2001), johnhoward, Retrieved on April 9, 2012 from: http://www.johnhoward.ab.ca/pub/halfway.htm 8) Latessa, E.J. (n.d.). From Theory to Practice- What Works in Reducing Recidivism?, DCJS, Retrieved on April 9, 2012 from: http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/corrections/documents/theoryToPractice.pdf 9) Mease, T. (n.d.). Finding Out ‘What Works’ in Reentry: Discovering Evidence-Based Practices, American, Retrieved on April 10, 2012 from: http://www.american.edu/spa/publicpurpose/upload/Finding-Out-What-Works-in-Reentry.pdf 10) Milkman, H. & K. Wanberg (2007). Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment, DCJS, Retrieved on April 10, 2012 from: http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/corrections/documents/cognitiveBehavioral.pdf 11) News/Events (n.d.), freelifelines, Retrieved on April 9, 2012 from: http://www.freelifelines.org/news.html 12) Nunez-Neto, B. (2008). Offender Reentry: Correctional Statistics, Reintegration into the Community, and Recidivism, senate, Retrieved on April 9, 2012 from: http://lieberman.senate.gov/assets/pdf/crs/offenderreentry.pdf 13) Principles of Effective Offender (2007), cebp, Retrieved on April 9, 2012 from: http://cebp.indiana.edu/Portals/418/Chris/PrinciplesofEffectiveInterventionPenn.pdf 14) Reentry Helping Former Prisoners Return to Communities (2005), AECF, Retrieved on April 9, 2012 from: http://www.aecf.org/upload/publicationfiles/ir2980d32.pdf 15) Supporting clients into learning and skills and work (n.d.), lsc, Retrieved on April 10, 2012 from: http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/National/cas-ex_offenders_adviser_3-jan09.pdf Read More