LIFE SKILLS AND THE EX-OFFENDER
Justice & Mercy Positioning Statement by Rich Schramm

At a time in which many now in the work force currently lack the abilities needed to master 21st century jobs, ex-offenders reentering society particularly are vulnerable. Extended periods of incarceration have left those in our prisons sadly lacking in basic life skills. Heightened feelings of failure and hopelessness also are evident, as is a general alienation from mainstream institutions. Ex-offenders often reenter society with a ready cynicism and the desire to manipulate those systems to which they are exposed.

Many, including those compromised by long-term addictive behavior, are emotionally and socially underdeveloped because of the lack of nurturing environments. For a successful transition to society to take place, intentional networks of individuals and resources need to be in place to guide, support, train and fellowship with those now living outside of prison walls.

Ex-offenders tend to leave prison less educated than the general population, and many never have had opportunities to acquire vocational skills or experience normal environments for emotional and societal maturation. Higher rates of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other learning disabilities are evidenced among the incarcerated. These concerns usually are not adequately addressed in prison, and long-term offenders especially suffer from widening educational and social gaps.

The unique communal environment and uncompromising regulations provided by penal institutions are incompatible with the various and differing life and vocational skills needed for reentry. Survival within prison and outside of it requires a vastly different set of skills.

Such wide-ranging practices and processes as personal hygiene training, job application procedures, GED class and other academic participation, money management assistance and time management instruction necessitate a committed core of institutions and volunteers willing to mentor, nurture and support the ex-offender from the earliest stages of his/her transition.

To that end, Justice & Mercy, the volunteer-based organization committed to compassionate and just reform of the Pennsylvania criminal justice system, strongly encourages the formation of regional and local networks of volunteers and potential employers who will work with ex-offenders and prison officials to ensure that a solid base of reentry skill training is offered and enacted such as through potential methodologies like mentoring.

Justice & Mercy also encourages appropriate officials, prisons and jails to provide and when able to fund and/or allow volunteer efforts that bring opportunities to prisoners to learn these life skills while incarcerated, so that upon being released they are able to transition more efficiently back into our communities.
 

LIFE SKILLS AND THE EX-OFFENDER RESOURCES

Life Skills and the Ex-Offender White Paper by Randy Wingle, Jubilee Ministries
http://www.justicemercy.org/life-skills-white-paper-randy-wingle.doc