Case Management Framework Program
The thought of impending freedom from a life behind prison bars conjures up mixed emotions in an offender: excitement and joy at rejoining his/her family on the one hand, as well as anxiety and fear at the various tasks required in re-building his/her life, on the other hand.
As a means to allay their fears, many offenders need someone to walk with them in their journey towards reintegrating into society- someone who listens to their concerns, understands them and is there to guide them. Under the CMFP, this critical person takes the form of an After-care Case Manager (ACM) from SACA.
The Objectives:
- To create a seamless transfer for offenders from in-care to aftercare
- To create more self-awareness in clients
- To instil personal and social responsibility
- To facilitate access to other resources or services
The Process
The CMFP process is initiated 2 months prior to an offender’s release, when individual or group briefings are conducted in prison institutions to provide information on CMFP and to invite inmates to opt into the Programme.
For those that do accept the invitation, ACMs from SACA will visit the inmate while he/she is in prison to assess his/her aftercare needs and to develop an Individualised Service Plan (ISP) in collaboration with the individual. The ISP clearly maps out the goals the inmate wishes to accomplish upon his/her release. The ACM will thus continue to work closely with the discharged offender for a period of up to 6 months after release so as to follow through with the rehabilitation objectives set out in the ISP.
The main role of an ACM is to assess the situation and to help connect clients and their family members to the resources available according to their needs, which maybe physical, emotional or social. In addition to networking with various agencies, ACMs also monitor and evaluate the services provided to clients.
The Services
The services provided as part of the CMFP include:
- Counselling (Individual and Family)
- Information and referral
- Liaison with other agencies for Accommodation, Employment assistance & Financial support
- Befriending
- Adhoc activities for clients and their family members
- Social and recreational activities or
- Community service projects
In essence, the CMFP provides an effective, coordinated and integrated delivery of services from in-care to aftercare for ex-offenders.
The Desired Outcome
To reintegrate ex-offenders into society through:
- Equipping clients with life skills to cope with issues, problems, stress and social problems independently.
- Empowering clients to learn to view situations from a more positive perspective.
- Reducing the likelihood of ex-offenders returning to criminal behaviour.
In essence, the CMFP provides an effective, coordinated and integrated delivery of services from in-care to aftercare for ex-offenders.