An Empirical Study on Social Inclusion of Ex-Offenders and their acceptance in the society with Insights from Chennai’s Libraries & Community Resources

Abstract

The modern landscape reveals a multitude of individuals confined by the Justice System for a range of offences. These individuals are subjected to a period of rigorous confinement and rehabilitation with the aim of transforming their cognitive processes to avert future offences. They choose not to restate it. Upon their release, they seek an avenue for atonement. The individuals in question, now designated as ex-convicts or ex-offenders, seek to reintegrate into their previous lives. Individuals recognise the difficulties faced by those who experience discrimination due to the previously mentioned distinguishing characteristics. Upon conviction by the Judicial System for a crime, irrespective of its gravity, an individual, akin to any other member of society, is subject to the consequences of that judgement. Nonetheless, although they represent a minority, a notable portion of society seems to reject their previous existence due to concerns regarding the possibility of reoffending. The societal exclusion of these individuals who have previously offended, its ramifications, and the strategies that ought to be adopted. Individuals recognise the difficulties faced by those who experience discrimination due to the aforementioned distinguishing characteristics. The societal perceptions and ramifications concerning ex-offenders, along with the remedial measures implemented. This study employs an empirical research approach. A total of 208 samples were collected through a convenience sampling method. The independent variables include age, gender, marital status, and educational qualification. In contrast, the dependent variables encompass opinions regarding the public mingling of ex-offenders, shifts in perspective when the ex-offender is a family member, perceptions of role models who have previously offended, and awareness of both governmental and non-governmental organisations dedicated to the social inclusion of ex-offenders.