Offenders who are in prison often have limited vocational skills that can help them find employment when they leave prison, which can mean that a crime can be committed that will land them back in prison. Many correctional institutions’ goal is to see that eligible prisoners are given the chance to find gainful employment and
With a prison population of nearly 2.5 million inmates in the United States, the U.S. surpasses all other countries in the percentage of citizens that it imprisons. Federal funding for education while behind bars is denied to prisoners, giving little hope of rehabilitation for prisoners. This creates nonexistent opportunities for inmates to receive post-secondary education.
Women who have spent time in prison, often have a much harder time reentering society than men do. There is much stigma placed on women who have spent time in prison and have been separated from their children, family, friends, and support groups. Many of these women suffer from depression, ill-health, and mental health. The
The Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, based in Fresno, California, is a faith-based nonprofit organization that provides voluntary, non-fee mediation services to victims of juvenile crime and theirr offenders.
The Victim Offender Reconciliation Program began in 1982 in Fresno County and is based on the Biblical Vision of Shalom (Whole-Making Peace). The program sees this as existing when there are right-relations between fellow human beings, and between people and God.
With prison populations soaring, the Prison Reform Trust is working diligently within the UK penal system to help humanize prison conditions and to help reduce unnecessary imprisonment for non-violent offenders. The Prison Reform Trust was founded in 1981 by a group of distinguished UK citizens that included a retired High Court judge whose main objectives
With plenty of time on their hands, incarcerated inmates need a chance to be able to express themselves in a healthy and creative way. The Prison Writing Program, founded in 1971, works across the country to help bring pen, paper and instruction to hundreds of inmates willing to put their thoughts down on paper. The
Creating art while incarcerated in prison greatly fills the need for self-expression that is sorely missed by prisoners. Many believe that art satisfies an individual’s need for creativity, self-expression, recognition, and self-respect. In 1977, a pilot project called the William James Association Prison Arts Project was begun at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, California,
Incarcerated youth often have open minds that can become closed down by a lack of literary stimulation while in prison. The mission of Free Minds – Book Club & Writing Workshop is to introduce young inmates to how powerful books and creative writing can be and how writing can express emotions and put into words
The art of letter writing and sending out mail with a beautiful stamp may be a bit old-fashioned, yet it is still a lovely way to communicate. The Prison Library Project is honoring this tradition by having a mail art exhibition in October 2012 and is inviting inmates, families, and those who look to improve
Think about a new way of looking at prison rehabilitation – one that focuses on healing. This is called Restorative Justice. Current prison rehabilitation focuses on punishment, race class discrimination, and creating a non-healing environment. Restorative Justice works and focuses on healing the inmates and working on restoring losses by allowing prisoners to take responsibility