Detroit garden nurtures inmates near end of prison sentences
Detroit Free Press
In an odd coincidence, Davis and one of her recent residents, James (Bear) Fuller first met 34 years ago, when Davis was just beginning her career in prison social work and Fuller was beginning his sentence for murder.

Giving a voice to Cincinnati’s homeless
Cincinnati.com
Spring is a licensed social worker who graduated from Xavier University in 2007 with a degree in social work. During college he worked weekends at nonprofit Tender Mercies in Over-the-Rhine, where he learned the importance of listening to the individual stories of the homeless people who needed help.

Social workers help students succeed
Evansville Courier & Press
According to the National Association of Social Workers, the main objective of school social work is to address the social, emotional and psychological needs of students, helping them to overcome difficulties and to improve their overall quality of life.

A $1 Million Goal for Big Brothers Big Sisters
Wall Street Journal
Mr. Kelly met his wife, a social worker who now works as an assistant executive director at the organization, through Big Brothers Big Sisters.

School of Social Work Faculty Discuss Human Trafficking in Fox 7 Interview
UT-Austin
Slavery exists in Texas. People are trafficked into the United States for labor or sex, for forced service. That’s what two researchers from the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin told viewers during a Fox 7 News “Good Day Austin” interview July 27 with Keri Bellacosa.

AZ Social Workers: Limiting Park Access Threatens Body and Soul
Public News Service
Carol Stambaugh, Arizona director for the National Association of Social Workers, says in tough economic times, it’s easy to forget the role of parks in in meeting the needs of the whole person.

Police Investigating Suspicious Death Of Teen
WLNS
Karen Bergbower, Social Worker: “It’s an unfortunate reminder that this problem is pervasive and that, as a community, we need to continue our work.

California's prisons are overcrowded. Photo courtesy of California state government.

Social worker and writer Rachel Meyer made some good points in this Women’s International Perspective, Inc. column on California’s prison system.

California’s incarceration rate is rising but the state has not increased spending on substance abuse treatment, education, job training and other rehabilitation programs, making it more likely ex-inmates will commit more crime and get locked up again, she said.

But check out what Meyer had to say about the disparity between the pay for prison guards and social workers:

“As a Social Worker I am required to complete six years of higher education, maintain licensing requirements through the Board of Behavioral Sciences, and meet continued education obligations. Juvenile Institution Officers are only required to have a High School Diploma or GED. After two years of employment my annual salary is approximately $55,000 per year. Comparatively, with overtime, a Juvenile Institution Officer makes $70,000.”

Q: Can social workers do anything in these hard economic times to get states to spend more on rehabilitating inmates?

Mark Goldsmith

Goldsmith’s Getting Out and Staying Out program uses social workers:

“Staff members and “coaches” help the young men with basic life skills, as well as setting up job interviews, getting their GED, signing up for vocational training and entering substance-abuse programs if necessary. A director of social services and several social-work interns help the men navigate psychological and family issues as well.”