Desire for Reintegration of Ex-prisoners: A Universal Approach

Abstract

The rehabilitation of the offender and reintegration of the offender are two main concepts which the criminal justice system demand of the day. Among the other forms of punishment, imprisonment is the most common punishment in most countries in the world. Rehabilitation of the offender is the main objective of imprisonment and without a successful mechanism for the reintegration of ex-prisoners it is hard to achieve that main objective, viz. the rehabilitation of the prisoners. Failing to achieve the above objective it is also hard to control the increase in the reconvicted and recidivism rate of offenders. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to the reintegration of the offenders into society as an integral part of the theory of rehabilitation, and after-care service should form final step of correctional work in order to control the increasing reconvicted/recidivism rate of convicts in a country. This article discusses the importance of the concept of reintegration of the offenders along with aftercare service for the ex-prisoners as a successful mechanism which we may use to reach the above goal, Sri Lankan situation with regard to after-care service and some successful measures that have been taken by the other countries to facilitate the ex-prisoners to restart their new life after the release.