Prison Re-entry Program in New Jersey Research Assignment - 1375 Words

Prison Re-entry Program in New Jersey Research Assignment (Essay Sample) Content: Prison Re-entry Program in New JerseyStudents Name:Institutional Affiliation: IntroductionPaying for crimes committed is a fundamental action in the society as it leads to the payment of debts for the wrongs done by the perpetrator to the afflicted members of the community. Moreover, it aids in the provision of life moral lessons to an inmate by making he or she let go of the vice. The release of the criminal offender after incarceration for crimes committed is complex individually when inmates are released into the community. Re-entry programs are essential in aiding an individual to fit back in the society, begin their lives afresh together with getting involved in communal matters. This essay will discuss prison re-entry programs in New Jersey, a state in North Eastern Part of the U.S. by majorly focusing its primary area in correctional re-entry programs in New Jersey State.Overview of re-entry programsWhen sentenced to a certain period of jail term for wrongs co mmitted, the incarcerated individual begins a new life. This is achieved through confinement in a solitary cell, adhering to the rules and instructions that are provided by the prison administration and abiding by what the incarceration prison demands. Different types of crime attract different levels of punishment to the number of months or years an individual has to spend in jail. A re-entry program is a process whereby crime offenders are released to the society (Mooney, 2017). This is either after the completion of their jail term serve, heads of states order of their release and being set free from federal or super federal release. Re-entry programs are meant to facilitate the transformation process of an ex-inmate. It focuses on aiding an individuals interaction with members of the society and minimizes recidivism; the temptation to go back into past life and desire to offend as a form of repayment for the pain the incarcerated individual went through while in jail. A majority of prison inmates are released back to the community on parole, a temporary or permanent liberation to the society with the promise of desirable behavior. Depending with the state in the U.S, inmates on parole are provided with varying prison re-entry programs.New Jersey prison re-entry programsWhile serving jail term, inmates get detached from societal life and become used to life in the prison. The release into the society is an intimidating factor as they are given the power and authority to do what they want whenever they want to. Besides, coping with the normal way of life of the society is a nuisance to a majority of inmates as the new life requires discipline, commitment, hard work and sacrifice. This is understood by a majority of psychological experts who do numerous researchers on life after prison. To assist in reshaping the lives of inmates on parole and help them fit into the society, New Jersey State has provided the following correctional prison re-entry programs:In tense post-release parole supervisionThe State Parole Board in conjunction with Department of Corrections have devised measures that aid in overseeing the progress of parolees in the first few months after their release from prison. The state of New Jersey has approximately 15,000 inmates released from prison parole every month. Parole officers in close association with New Jersey Board Division of Parole are sworn in and given the mandate to offer the truth on all the actions of the parolee. The released inmates are also provided with information on their close monitoring. There are numerous pros brought under close supervision of parolees by parole officers from the state of New Jersey. It ensures that parolees adhere to the law and restrain themselves from recidivating and repeating of crimes done. Also, it ensures that released inmates perform their assigned jobs and tasks as this enhances reshaping their lives apart from providing them with essential life necessities such as fo od, clothing and shelter. Besides, close supervision of parolees by New Jersey State parole officers ensures that they do not engage in drug and substance abuse and the whole process aids in restructuring their lives back to the society.Coordination of parole with drug, substance abuse and mental healthBetween 1977 and 2002, there was a tremendous increase in the number of inmates at prisons in New Jersey. The total number of inmates at prisons in the state was 6,017 in 1977 whereas in 2002, the total number of inmates had escalated to 27,891. The average rate of imprisonment at the state rose significantly from 76 to331 in a total of 100,000 people. The primary cause of the increased prison populations was the violation of rules by the parolees together with recidivating. A majority of inmates perpetrate crimes as a result of the influence of drugs and substance abuse. Despite the high-security levels that are provided by security guards in prisons, successful drug smuggling happen s. The vice continues while the parolees are released into the society and this leads to new arrests and imprisonment. Besides, New Jersey state probation officers are given the authority to visit inmates at their residences or work. This is accompanied by drug and alcohol blood tests to determine the transformation of the parolee. Such regular tests act as a correctional strategy as an ex-offender will restrain from drug and substance abuse.Provision of jobs and Basic amenities provisionWhile an inmate is released from prison, the probation period is quite challenging as they have to give their lives a new start. There are instances where an inmate has served ten or more years in prison and kick-starting life becomes a problem (Growns et al. 2017). When released into the society, they require basics such as food, clothing and shelter. Failure to acquire such essentials provides higher chances of getting into crime and drug distribution to survive. To assist in restructuring them in to the society and avoid recidivating, jobs are an essential component to them. New Jersey State Parole Board has aided the prevention of parolees recidivating by the provision of employment and shelter. Also, the state has established One-Stop Career Centers, a region that provides ex-offenders with employment referrals thus providing them with higher chances of acquiring jobs. Besides, the One-Stop Career Centers have formed a partnership with the U.S automobiles industry where parolees have been welcomed to train on a wide variety of mechanical jobs freely. People abuse drugs due to various reasons but a majority of ex-inmates abused drugs because of life challenges. The provision of such amenities creates a stress-free life, therefore, it aids in the maintenance of their sober lives.Parole success enhancement stageThe state of New Jer...