Explore the critical role of second chance employment in enhancing public safety and supporting the reintegration of justice-involved individuals, detailed in this comprehensive report:
Safer Foundation's report Holistic Reentry: A Blueprint for Action. This report redefines reentry which previously was essentially a workforce development model.
In the U.S., vocational training or career technical education programs in prisons are designed to teach incarcerated persons about general employment skills or skills needed for specific jobs and industries. Here are three programs in addition to what you've heard in our session.
The Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) refers to incarcerated individuals as "residents". IDOC's vocational work crews are comprised of minimum and community custody residents. Vocational work projects such as forest fire and conservation crews provide much needed labor to state, city, county and federal government agencies. Residents earn money to send home, pay restitution, child support, or purchase items from the commissary. A link for more information is provided above.
The Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC) also uses the term residents. MDOC implemented Work Ready, a workforce training program designed to prepare residents for the attitudinal and disciplinary rigors of employment and to provide a highly structured simulated and on-site work environments that encourage the behavior required for workplace success. Successful residents receive credentials issued by the state's Department of Employment which is recognized by employers throughout the state. The following are examples of work programs: Culinary program, computer coding, yoga apprenticeship, 2-year dog training program for American Vets that will allow them to work in a vet clinic. Other on-the-job experience is gained by working in welding, automotive, wood harvesting/logging, and their agriculture and natural resources. More information can be found on their website.
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) collaborates with various state agencies and private sector businesses to offer training and education credentials in transferable job skills that provide work opportunities to restored citizens, as well as employment opportunities for incarcerated adults. As part of an Ohio law that helps people with criminal records obtain employment, their workforce development activities provide certifications as well. The lower court orders a CQE which is short for Certificate of Qualification for Employment. This serves to bond a formerly incarcerated person to work in the community post release. Additional information on their programs may be found here on their website.
