Social Support for Optimal Reintegration of Malaysian Parolees into Community

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between social support and reintegration of parolees into the community. Respondents were 240 parolees who were released on Parole Order for not less than one month and who were employed. A set of questionnaires comprising of sociodemographic background, social support and reintegration of parolees into the community was administered. Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 19.0. The findings show that social support has been significant and positively correlated with reintegration of parolees into the community (r=.78, p<.01). Of the four sub-dimensions of social support, parole officer’s support (r= .80, p< .05) was most significant, followed by peer support (r= .34, p< .01), family support (r= .30, p< .01), and finally employer support (r= .06, p< .01). Results indicated that social support received from parole officers, peers, family and employers were significantly and positively correlated with reintegration of parolees into the community.