Community Resources

Abstract

In spite of a continued emphasis on safety, many correctional agencies are becoming convinced that society will gain its greatest protection by effecting proper integration of the deviant into a self-motivating, nondeviant role. Much of this resocialization can take place only at the community level and success demands the community's involvement. The community must see deviance as a problem that springs from the community—a community problem, not just a correctional agency problem. The orienta tion, then, must be one of partnership between the community and the parole and probation agent. This often requires a reorientation by the community agencies. It also usually requires a reorientation by the parole and probation agent. He must begin to view his work as a community service. This, in turn, allows him to view other community agencies as resources having potential utility as correctional tools. Once this partnership has been developed, the agent has the crucial task of choosing the appropriate resource at the appropriate time.