Effective Reentry Programs For Inmates - Research Paper Example

Life after Crime Introduction The word crime refers to unlawful acts. Such acts are considered to be injurious to the welfare or moral code of the public. A crime could also be used to refer to the breaking of laws or rules leading to conviction by some government authorities through the outlined legal systems. According to Visher (2006), crime can result in rehabilitation or cautions. Every crime that is committed leads to violation of law. However, every violation of the law does not count as a crime (Visher, 2006). Some violations can be considered as offenses. For example, breaches of contract are not crimes but violations of the prescribed rules and regulations (laws). Even though crime is may be unlawful, there are specific criminal activities that may be termed as legal hence are not punishable. Visher (2006) explains that criminal activities that may be termed as legal are those that arise from the acts of self-defense. Many societies have resolved to carry out criminalization as a way of reducing criminal activities (MacKenzie & Hickman, 2006). Societies used the threat of punishment to deter people from taking part in injurious activities. The main project explained in this paper is to explain the various programs that I will implement to prevent the return of the criminals to prison. Re-entry Programs for Inmates I will carry out various reentry programs to help the lives of the convicted criminals after coming out of the prison. Re-entry programs are procedures and plans designed to stop the returning of ex-offenders to prison (Visher, 2006). The programs and plans that I will undertake will ensure that the inmates do not return to the communities without the necessary educational and job skills (MacKenzie & Hickman, 2006). The job skills and education will enable the offenders to engage in activities that can better their lives. More programs will be introduced that will ensure that the perception of the offenders concerning life as meaningless is totally changed (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2005). The programs will enable the offenders to regain hopes of their lives and transform them completely. The programs that will be introduced include; Upgrading the already Existing Programs Bible Studies and Discipleship Seminars There are numerous prisons where Bible studies and discipleship seminars are provided. The bible study program transforms the lives of the inmates. The program also helps the criminals and their communities greatly (MacKenzie & Hickman, 2006). Nonetheless, there is need to upgrade or make specific changes to the program. For instance, there is need to create special time for the purposes of Bible studies and discipleship seminars. Even though there have been programs towards the same, Bible studies and discipleships seminars have never had specific or special time. Therefore, a special time will be created and dedicate specifically for the Bible study. The inmates will meet twice in a day to discuss the scriptures deeply. Volunteers will be appointed to carry out the process. A pastor will be assigned to various prisons to give guidance and counseling to the inmates. The pastor in charge will be spending five days in week with the inmates offering their pastoral support. The inmates will be allowed to share their problems and weaknesses with the pastor in charge (MacKenzie & Hickman, 2006). The relationship of the inmates with the pastor will thus improve and this will enable the pastor to identify their problems and respond appropriately (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2005). Different Bible study groups will be formed and therefore it was mandatory for the inmates to attend. The inmates will share their understanding about the scriptures as they also get to learn more it (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2005). Their perceptions will be changed and as they will get to know and understand the various commandments deeply (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2005). Their knowledge of the commandments makes them avoid committing crime as it would mean going against the commandments. The inmates will be aware that breaking the commandments had repercussions therefore they would not dare break it again (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2005). Alongside the Bible study, discipleship seminars will also be conducted within the prison. The seminars will be conducted twice in a week. Carrying out Marriage Seminars Some prisons have been offering marriage seminars especially to inmates who are either married or those that are planning to get married. Most of the marriage seminars to the unmarried usually target the inmates that are about to leave prisons. Nonetheless, very little attention has so far been given to marriage seminars. In this proposal, there is need to dedicate much time on the marriage seminars in a bid to target mainly the married inmates who had families as well as those intending to get married after they finish serving their sentences/jail terms. The seminars will be carried out by the pastor in charge during which the married inmates will come together and learn their family roles (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2005). Such seminars have greatly assisted the inmates to continuously remember their families and the responsibilities bestowed on them as custodians or heads of the families in question (Visher, 2006). The marriage seminars will enable the inmates to reconcile with their spouses. The marriage seminars will also be coupled with reconciliatory seminars. The reconciliation will enable the inmates to stay peacefully with their families after their release (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2005). The inmates are also able to learn the principle of trust and forgiveness from the biblical point of view. The program is not mandatory and all the inmates could attend if they wish. Enhancing Education Indisputably, inmates undergo various forms of education within the jail or prisons. However, majority of the education programs are usually inadequate and may sometimes not address specific aspects within the society. In line with this, there is need to enhance the educational programs within the prisons especially in relation to contemporary issues facing the society as well as other issues affecting inmates. The inmates need to be educated on various issues that are beneficial to them (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2005). Different educational programs will be provided to the inmates aimed at providing not only the knowledge and information but also help in shaping them while in prison. In order to provide the education service, I source support from the Non Governmental Institution in order to get volunteers. The educational programs that will be provided include; Drug and Substance Abuse Program The program will be incorporated within the educational programs in all prisons. The drug and substance abuse seminars will be conducted to create awareness among the inmates on the dangers of drug abuse. Psychologists and counselors will assist in carrying out this program. The main focus will be based on the side effects of using the drugs and the risks of being found in possession of any. This was particularly the illegal drugs. The logic behind committing crime because of the drug abuse is explained to the criminals in order to change their minds. The inmates will be taught more on the drugs that when taken alter the way people perceive and feel things. These drugs interfere with individual’s brain making them to engage in criminal activities (Visher, 2006). The inmates and particularly the drug addict will come to realization that their main reason for being in the prison is because of drugs which altered their reasoning hence committing the crime (MacKenzie & Hickman, 2006). Drug and substance abuse has various effects on the health of an individual. This program will enable the inmates to be aware of the health problems associated with drug and substance abuse (Visher, 2006). They are also taught other effects of abusing drugs and other substances. In order to ensure the program was being carried out effectively, I will take the responsibility of supervision. Health Seminars Another program that will be incorporated within the educational curriculum is the health seminar. The health professionals will assigned in all the prisons where they will be required to give extensive education on the heath issues. The inmates also undergo intensive and extensive education on various topics related to health issue both at personal and communal lives. The inmates are also taught in the ways of ensuring they live in a clean environment (Visher, 2006). Among the qualities considered in an employee is cleanliness. Therefore the program will ensure that the inmates are taught the various ways of maintain the cleanliness (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2005). The inmates will therefore not have difficulties in their work places after coming from the prison. The inmates will therefore not be sacked by their employers because of cleanliness. Sacking them could frustrate hence getting back to their criminal life to earn a living. Carrying out Trainings In order to ensure that the inmates do not involve again in the criminal activities it would be necessary for them to secure a job. This implies that the inmates will need to have necessary skills for the jobs. Majority of jails and prisons have always trained the inmates on various vocational skills that would make them productive after their jail terms. Unfortunately, such vocational trainings have not been enhanced in order to focus on some of the most important and current skills. I will therefore provide training to the prisoners alongside other programs. The training will impart necessary skills required for the job and they will be able to earn a living from the job (MacKenzie & Hickman, 2006). The training that will be provided to the inmates includes: i. Carpentry The training will require support from the government. The necessary equipment will be provided to carry out the training. A permanent supervisor will be employed to train the inmates. The inmates will be required to make furniture after the training in order to test their competencies. With the help of the supervisor they will be able to make various types of furniture (Visher, 2006). Carpentry is a practice that makes the inmates busy hence minimizing the criminal thoughts. When the inmates are released from the prison, they will at least have something to engage rather than engaging in criminal activity to earn a living (MacKenzie & Hickman, 2006). After the release of the offenders from the prison, I would ensure that they secure jobs to enable them apply the skills learnt. ii. Tailoring The inmates will be trained how to sew machines. I will source for sewing machines from various organizations willing to give the support. A permanent instructor will be employed to train the inmates. The instructor had to ensure that the inmates were well trained and they are in a position to make one given an opportunity. The inmates are taught the various ways of sewing cloth by their instructor. In addition, the inmates are provided with sewing machines to facilitate their training (Visher, 2006). The inmates are also required to make their own clothes and this helps them to improve on their training exercise (Visher, 2006). Through this program the criminals get to learn the various ways from which they can earn a living (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2005). This shapes the lives of the criminals and when they get out of the prison they put the skills obtained into practice. After their release from the prison, I will ensure that they secure a job. Apart from the programs that are introduced in the prison, there are some services that will be provided to ensure that the offenders do not go back to the prison. The services that will be provided include; Loans and Grants: In order to empower the offenders after their release, they will be provided with loans and grants. The government and nongovernmental organizations will provide this service. With the training they undergo while in the prison, they will be able to engage in various business that can make them earn a living. This can only be facilitated if they have money. With the various programs undertaken in the prison, their lives will be changed and given any opportunity of earning they would rather go for it rather than involving in other fraud ways of earning a living (Visher, 2006). Being that these people, particularly those convicted because of stealing money were used to getting money, they can easily go back to the crime of stealing if they are not kept in check by providing an alternative to them (Visher, 2006). Before taking the loan or grants they offenders will be taught the entrepreneurial skills. The criminals should be encouraged to be their own bosses. They should be taught the employability skills (Visher, 2006). The best way to ensure they use their employability skills is mainly by providing them with loans. The loans will encourage them to work very hard and return the money in good time (Visher, 2006). By engaging in various types of businesses, they will earn a living and this will change their lives after crime to be better. Creation of Jobs The high rate of criminal activities is majorly caused by unemployment. The unemployed will always find other ways and means of getting income even if it means stealing (Visher, 2006). In order to ensure that the offenders do not return to the prison, more jobs will be created. Different organizations and institutions will be involved in solving this issue. The organizations and institutions will provide jobs to the inmates. Therefore, more jobs should be created to absorb those who are released from the conviction. By providing more jobs, they will be able to earn a living through working. Since the inmates undergo various trainings including vocational trainings, they will find it easy to work in places in line with their skills (Visher, 2006). The private companies encouraged to invest in high numbers. This will create more jobs ensuring that those released from the prison secure a place (Visher, 2006). The criminals should also be taught the employability skills (Visher, 2006). This will enable them to be self employed making them to have a better life after the crime. Apart from the programs and services that are provided, the probation program will be implemented to prevent committing crime again. The probation program could also be used other than sending the criminal to jail (Visher, 2006). Probation program could also be used to integrate those who have been sentenced back into their various communities. Probation program is mainly for the offenders who have committed crimes not considered to be serious (MacKenzie & Hickman, 2006). The severity of the crime committed by an offender is gauged by the use of a system of risk classification based on the variables (Visher, 2006). The probation officer is assigned to supervise the probation. The probation officer may decide to make occasional visits to the probationers especially when they supervise many cases (MacKenzie & Hickman, 2006). The officers may decide to email or make calls to their probationers. The offenders who are on probation are required to find a job and to stay far from some people. The offenders are also required to stay out of trouble and seize using drugs (Visher, 2006). This will ensure that the life of probationers changes greatly and their chances of committing crime again are also reduced. However, in some instances the probationers comply with the difficult rules of probation while others break the rule (Visher, 2006). In such cases the probation may be revoked and this may make the probationer to be taken to jail. There are instances that may call for probation programs that are intensive and are developed mainly for the offenders of high risk (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2005). Funds Required In order to accomplish the above programs within the prisons, there is need to have adequate funding. Funds for accomplishing the above programs within the prisons will be obtained from various ways. Examples of methods or techniques for raising such funds will include: Writing proposals to different organizations to request for funding Making a formal request to the government to be part of the program Conducting fund drives across the nation Using crowdfunding process through various crowdfunding platforms Requesting the public to make donations towards the aforementioned programs Structure of the Programs The above proposed program consists mainly of education and training. The education segment consists of developing and initiating different skills within an inmate. On the other hand, the training segment of the program aims at providing vocational skills to the inmates, which will make them productive individuals within the society. The following description provides a structure of educational programs on one hand and vocational training on the other hand: Educational Programs Program Day Time Objective Bible Studies and Discipleship Seminar Monday 6.00pm To enhance the spirituality of the inmates To educate inmates about their relationship with the external environment Marriage Seminars Tuesday 6.00pm To provide adequate understanding of marriage To encourage the unmarried inmates to get married Drug and Substance Abuse Wednesday 6.00pm To teach the inmates various categories of drugs that are commonly abused To educate the inmates on the negative impacts of the drug abuse To enlighten the inmates on various ways of avoiding or eliminating drug abuse Health Seminars Thursday 6.00pm To educate the inmates on the various health issues and how to improve their health standards within and outside the prison Vocational Training Program Day Time Objective Various Trainings Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 6.00pm To equip the inmates with adequate vocational skills that will make them productive members of the society after serving their jail terms In conclusion, if the various reentry programs explained in the paper should be implemented to ensure that the life of a criminal changes. This will prevent the offenders from committing crimes that may make them return to the prison. The life of a person after crime depends on how the person is treated. Prison helps in shaping the behavior of people. However, in some cases the programs needed may not be educational. The program that can be implemented rather than going to prison is probation program. Therefore, various reentry programs should be taken to prevent increase in the level of crime. Reference Visher, C. A. (2006). Effective reentry programs. Criminology & Public Policy, 5(2), 299-302. Lowenkamp, C. T., & Latessa, E. J. (2005). Developing successful reentry programs: Lessons learned from the “what works” research. Corrections Today, 67(2), 72-74. MacKenzie, D. L., & Hickman, L. J. (2006). What works in corrections? Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Read More