After serving a sentence: why former offenders also need support, not just punishment
A Latvian State Probation Service campaign highlights that punishment alone does not prevent reoffending – long-term resocialization support is also needed. A survey found 79% of residents back this approach.
Latvia's Ministry of Justice and the State Probation Service are running a campaign called "The Path to Reconciliation Begins with a Conversation," part of a project co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus that supports the resocialization of probation clients. The campaign aims to draw attention to what happens to a person after they serve their sentence and what is actually needed for them to change their life.
A State Probation Service representative notes that punishment alone does not resolve the underlying factors often linked to criminal behavior — substance dependency, violent behavior, insufficient social skills, lack of education, or unemployment. Achieving real change requires sustained work and the person's own motivation.
Public attitudes
A survey conducted as part of the campaign found that 79% of Latvian residents agree that, alongside punishment, support for a person's resocialization is also necessary to reduce the risk of reoffending. Asked what helps a person most to avoid returning to criminal behavior, 49% of respondents pointed to stable employment and income.
The article emphasizes that support from employers, family, and peers can significantly help a former offender successfully reintegrate into society — though this does not mean forgetting what was done; rather, it means objectively assessing the person's efforts and progress.
The goal of resocialization
The State Probation Service's work involves identifying factors that contribute to criminal behavior and seeking ways to reduce them, such as addiction treatment or work on impulse and anger control. The author stresses that taking responsibility for one's actions and having the opportunity to change are not mutually exclusive. If a person chooses to live law-abidingly after serving their sentence, society as a whole benefits — through fewer repeat offenses and fewer victims.
