Hope after imprisonment: This is how we support our young people in Emden

Hope after imprisonment: This is how we support our young people in Emden

The rehabilitation of young offenders is a sensitive and often controversial topic in Germany. In East Frisia in particular, social workers are faced with the challenge of reintegrating young people into society after a prison sentence. A current podcast with social worker Jörg von der Pütten from Emden looks at how fears and insecurities among these young people can be alleviated during prison and after their release. According to oz-online.de, the main focus is on preparing for life in freedom, with Julia Hildmann from the Hameln youth center providing practical insights.

The recidivism rates of young perpetrators are a topic that comes up again and again in the discussion. bmjv.de has found that the effect of punishments in special prevention is repeatedly questioned. However, there are ways to empirically measure the effectiveness of these prevention measures. According to statistics, recidivism is recorded when individuals come into contact with the criminal justice system again.

Rehabilitation and support

The youth court assistance, represented by Marc Hohmann, aims not to punish young people throughout the entire process, but rather to support them. This view was also expressed in the podcast “Watt’n los?” highlighted. Lars Zaiß and Patrick Exeler, who work as school social workers, work closely with convicted young people to pave their way back into society. It's not just final certificates that are important, but also social integration and the targeted promotion of skills, which often begin in juvenile hall.

Prevention initiatives are also a crucial factor. livingquarter.de highlights the complexity of youth crime and names different risk factors: from socio-economic aspects to family backgrounds to educational opportunities. The focus is on educational measures such as social training courses and charitable work in order to counteract this at an early stage. The legal framework of the Youth Court Act (JGG) aims to promote education instead of punishment - an important component for rehabilitation.

Similarities and challenges

Another aspect is the various prevention and rehabilitation programs offered at local and national levels. These include, among other things, school-based programs that strengthen and educate social interaction. Mentoring programs in which adults act as positive role models are also promising.

Recidivism rates are troubling and highlight the need for consistent follow-up and support after prison. This is the only way to ensure that young people do not fall back into old behavioral patterns. Community involvement is crucial here – parents, schools and non-profit organizations play a central role in prevention work.

In conclusion, the rehabilitation of young people in conflict with the law is a broad and complex issue. A strong network of support and a variety of preventative measures are needed to offer young people the prospect of a life free from punishment. In the next few years it will be important to further expand these structures and meet the challenges that a changing society brings with it.