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 most important ways in which loved ones can help a recently released individual include, assisting with a job search, locating companies whom hire ex-offenders, saving money and restructuring the relationship. Whereas, locating churches and support groups, building and maintaining a relationship with the individual's parole officer and knowing any stipulations with regards to probation or parole can all be extremely helpful.

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 towards a loved one's release can often be extremely helpful once the individual is released. For, depending on how long the individual has been incarcerated, it can often take a long time before the individual can readjust to life on the outside. As a result, the more help loved ones can provide in the way of cash, housing and transportation will often contribute to the ex-offender's success against violations of parole or probation and future offenses.

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.

Loved ones often become extremely excited before the release of an incarcerated family member or friend. In most cases, the loved ones are envisioning a reality as it was before the individual went to jail or prison. For individuals only in jail for a short time, things may not have changed. Whereas, for those whom have been incarcerated for long periods of time, rebuilding trusting relationships can often be difficult.

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.

Resources and services can also be found on a number of websites related to ex-offenders. Most of these resources relate to clinics, community service, educational or job opportunities. Whether looking for a job or planning on taking classes, there are a number of online resources which can be of assistance in this area, these include Indeed and Monster when it comes to jobs and edX or Coursera with regards to free classes and certificate programs.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment