Resources For Exoffenders, Family And Friends

By Elizabeth Hill


When awaiting the release of a family or friend from jail or prison, there are several areas in which loved ones can be of assistance. In fact, there are a number of websites which provide information on resources for exoffenders and how loved ones can help once the release takes place. In almost all cases, there are at least, if not more than, eight ways loved ones can help an individual upon release from jail or prison.

The 8 ways loved ones can help an exoffender include assisting in a job search, locating food banks, churches and support groups, restructuring the relationship, saving money and knowing any restrictions placed on the individual by the court. While most accept help from loved ones in these areas, there are others whom reject help from anyone. In most cases, these individuals are more likely to reoffend than others. If and when doing so while on probation or parole, the actions need to be reported to the proper authorities as soon as possible.

When it comes to parole and probation, most individuals have these conditions as a stipulation of release. These can often include, electronic monitoring, community service, drug and alcohol tests, a mandatory job search, geographic travel limitations and curfew. One of the best ways to assure these requirements are met is for a loved one to develop a relationship with the individual's parole officer. For, if there were to be a violation, the officer can inform the family.

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 future needs, churches, support groups, job searches, talking with children and counseling, all of these go hand-in-hand. For, counselors can often provide better resources than others when it comes to the proper support group or church. Whereas, loved ones still need to consider future needs of the individual and work together in talking with children.

There are a number of websites which can also provide information and resources to exoffenders based on geographic location. These include, second chance jobs, how to find a job after prison, interview preparation, resume writing courses and companies which will hire ex-offenders. Whereas, other locally based programs and resources often include community service work, counseling for ex-offenders, emotional and physical well being and volunteering.




About the Author:



No comments :

Post a Comment