Supporting the Rehabilitation of Former Criminals

Ethics and Religion in Interpersonal Assistance

Abstract

Various methods and activities aim to support the rehabilitation of former prisoners. High recidivism rates, however, suggest that careful consideration is needed when it comes to assessing the efficacy of these programs. In practice, it appears to be difficult to rehabilitate those who once carried the stigma of criminality. The increase in severe cases of relapse into criminal behavior among the elderly and among persons with disabilities indicates a negative spiral of recidivism due to weakened community ties and a lack of places to go after release from prison. This paper takes up the case of the NPO “Olive House,” a rehabilitation facility under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice that was designed as a preparatory home for former criminals who learn to become self-reliant after prison. The choice of this case study is motivated by the NPO's low recidivism rate and the fact that its founder is a former inmate and a religious man who gained his faith in prison during his incarceration. This paper examines the characteristics of the personal assistance at this institution through the therapeutic community model and the narrative approach, as well as describes some of the ethical considerations that religious people can bring to the field of personal assistance. In doing so, the paper aims to contribute to the field of rehabilitation assistance, which has been the subject of only few case studies in extant research on religion as a social contributor, and to examine the inherent value of religion.