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s-m-r
Slow-Motion Riot
Registered
04/06/2006
Points
1078
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10th February, 2011 at 20:05:19 -
Kind of an uncommon question...
For my day job, I work with a lot of folks who have been recently released from prison: finding them housing; life skills training; helping find jobs; etc. I'm curious to hear some of your thoughts on these kinds of situations. I know there are people potentially from all over the globe checking this website, and I'm very interested in a worldwide perspective. This is a "global economy," after all. And there are jails in every country.
Specifically:
- what do you think of the employment situation in your general area? No jobs? Plenty of jobs? Somewhere in the middle?
- what about crime? Is there a lot? Not so much? Just not around where you live/work?
- have you ever heard of "re-entry programs" or any kind of program dedicated to assisting those recently released from prison?
- what's your opinion on the idea of formally assisting former prisoners (that is, help that's paid for with taxpayer dollars)?
- are there any agencies active in your area that you know do this kind of work? Who are they?
Please riff off any of the above. If these sorts of ideas had never occurred to you, it's fine to mention that, as well.
Thanks for reading! 
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Sketchy
Cornwall UK
Registered
06/11/2004
Points
1971
 
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10th February, 2011 at 20:29:48 -
I live in the middle of nowhere, meaning there's no crime, no jobs, no anything else.
As for spending taxpayer's money on helping released prisoners, I guess it depends.
As long as the jobs exist, you want to get these people working as soon as possible. You can view it as an investment if you really want, as it's probably going to cost the taxpayer more in the long-run if they start re-offending (which is likely, if they can't get a job) and wind up back in prison.
However, if there aren't enough jobs to go around, then I'm sorry, but I think you have to make it a priority to help others first. I'm a big believer in second chances, and I know they've "done the time" and "paid their dues" and whatever, but that's just how I feel.
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The Chris Street
Administrator
Unspeakably Lazy Admin
Registered
14/05/2002
Points
48488
      
 
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11th February, 2011 at 10:01:39 -
- There are no jobs in my general area that require skill, at the very least. There are too many catalogue distribution jobs around but nothing pushes you. In the UK at least the jobs sector isn't brilliant, apparently there are about 6 people for every job now.
- In terms of crime, there's a fair amount of anti-social behaviour in the nearby towns, and some burglaries, all ranging between 100 and 400 reported incidents. But the village I live in is quiet nice, with only 6 reported incidents, 5 of which were anti-social, in December.
- I have heard of re-entry programs; they're designed to try and ease prisoners back into the world of employment through various means. Sometimes it might mean finding them a job, and sometimes there are schemes where users are required to work together to achieve something. A bit like a workshop, of sorts. I know of a couple of places that accept ex-cons, and they repair second hand goods such as washing machines and sell them at a cheap price. It encourages their creativity.
- Formally assisting prisoners... I guess it depends on the severity of what they did, and if they show genuine remorse. If there was some sort of voluntary scheme, for example, if they offered to do some sort of community service to try and repay the community, and if they were making a genuine effort to better themselves, then I don't really have a problem with helping them back to work. If they decide to waste their opportunity by committing more crime upon release, going to drugs, that sort of thing, then I would feel they are beyond help, unless they try
- I don't really know of any local schemes
Hope this helps.
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Matt Boothman
The Nissan Micra of forum members
Registered
20/09/2002
Points
109
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11th February, 2011 at 17:58:57 -
- There's not a lot of jobs in my area (which is to the North of England), or at least there aren't a lot of secure, fairly-paid, long-term jobs - there are temporary and minimum wage jobs if you look hard enough, but careers-wise there is very little. Having spent recently around six months unemployed before finding work at minimum wage I know this only too well. There is nothing for young men to do (no factories, manufacturers, building sites).
- People might say there is a lot of crime, but personally I see very little. There's petty vandalism, criminal damage, fights etc; but I don't think burglary is a problem. There is a drug problem (or culture should I say), but mostly they keep themselves to themselves.
- I can imagine what they do and what they are.
- I would like it if the government helped people without jobs more anyway, regardless of whether they are ex-prisoners. I don't agree with singling out ex-prisoners for special help, same as I don't agree with singling out ex-prisoners for discrimination (what's atoned for is atoned for). There are a lot of people who have never committed a criminal act in their life and are homeless, jobless and broke; these people deserve help just as much.
- Don't know of any specific agencies. Not having been to prison, I wouldn't know.
I do think having a steady job is a big factor (the biggest) in keeping on the straight and narrow. But unemployment is already too high to give special help to ex-offenders. They, after all, are in the same boat as the rest of us.
http://soundcloud.com/normbo - Listen to my music.
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s-m-r
Slow-Motion Riot
Registered
04/06/2006
Points
1078
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11th February, 2011 at 19:56:52 -
Thanks for sounding off on the UK side of things. It's all very new to me; having only spent a significant amount of time in a village in Devon (and that, many years ago), I am relatively unexposed to the comings and goings over there.
Keep it coming!
Anyone else from the States have input on this topic?
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