For Want of a Chance...

The problem of the sex offender, the vetoran with loss than honorable discharge, and others just released from correctional institutions was tackled at the eighth annaul conference of the Mattachine Society, Ino., at the Hotel Whitcomb in San Francisco over Labor Day wook end.

Moro specifically, employment and rehabilitation of those people was discussed by a panel of persons dealing directly in the field.

In opening the subjoot, Don Lucas, social service direstor of the Mattachine Society, who presided, pointed up the idea of the so people as individuals of value to society, not as criminals per so. Ho asked what could be done to educate the public and how they could be helped in job placement.

"We have not operated on a two-way basis," admitted Joseph R. Rowan, Western Director, Citizens Action Program, National Council on Crime and Delinquency, San Francisco. "We have not been lotting the public know of the problem. Most of our activity has been behind closed doors."

Mr. Rowan cited two main problems: 1, public apathy; 2, people in the rehabilitation programs have not informed the public, as they should.

"We need infusion of new ideas and new blood," he said, for the big job of changing the public image of the offonder. This could be done through radio and TV and public conferences, but it must involve top lovel citizens on a committee level.

THE IDEA OF HALF-WAY HOUSE

Mrs. Lillian E. Stodick, secretary, Allied Fellowship Service, Hayward, California, told about the "Half-Way House" idea, a rehabilitation project which gives parolees friendship, counselling and temporary housing. The offenders are a part of their own rehabilitation,

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