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The Re-integration Process from the Perspective of Prisoners: Opinions, Percieved Value and Participation

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Abstract

In this article the presence of the rehabilitation goal in the policy of the prison system in the Netherlands will be discussed first. Particular attention will be paid to the question as to why the rehabilitation goal, in spite of the doubtfull status of its impact, still plays a role in the increasing instrumentalist policy of the Dutch criminal justice system. In addition, some limitations of a one-sided 'nothing works' approach of rehabilitation will be discussed. Next, empirical research is examined for what it teaches about the functioning of correctional programmes within the prison system. Special attention will be paid to the attitudes of inmates toward rehabilitation. It will be shown that in spite of a considerable body of research on institutional adaptation, little is known about the dynamics between inmates' attitudes and personal, situational and organisational background variables. In addition, the results of a survey, conducted on the nature and sources of inmates' attitudes towards rehabilitation, will be presented. Finally, this article will offer reflections on the benefits of a process-evaluative approach of correctional interventions.

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  1. Glacisweg 35, 6212 BM Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Peter Ph. Nelissen

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  1. Peter Ph. Nelissen
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Nelissen, P.P. The Re-integration Process from the Perspective of Prisoners: Opinions, Percieved Value and Participation. European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research 6, 211–234 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008684525371

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